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SSU WBB continues receiving votes in latest edition of NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
Posted: Feb 12, 2025

SSU WBB continues receiving votes in latest edition of NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The women's basketball program at Shawnee State continued receiving votes in the latest version of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll -- as the Bears nabbed four points to stay in the receiving votes category in a poll that was released by national officials Wednesday morning.

The Bears, who have won 14 out of their last 15 games and eight consecutive contests, sit with the River States Conference's best records at 21-4 overall and 12-1 overall in River States Conference play. Shawnee State has defeated NAIA National Top-15 opponent Rio Grande twice, and two of Shawnee State's four losses are to No. 4 Campbellsville and No. 6 Cumberlands (Ky.) by respectable 74-62 and 78-66 margins.

Team effort through and through

Shawnee State is led by the following:

  • 6-0 senior forward Cianna Gloster (14.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 55.2 percent shooting)
  • 5-5 graduate student guard Sanaya Gregory (7.9 points, 87.1 percent free throw shooting)
  • 5-11 sophomore guard Emily Maynard (7.6 points, 35.9 percent three-point shooting)
  • 6-0 senior forward Jada Johnson (7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 87.5 percent free throw shooting)
  • 5-9 sophomore forward Jariah Steele (seven points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 49.6 percent shooting)
  • 6-0 junior forward Lauren Hawthorne (6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 47.8 percent shooting, 38.9 percent three-point shooting, 82.8 percent free throw shooting)
  • 5-5 junior guard Miyoshi Ellis (6.8 points, three assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals)
  • In addition to the above seven individuals, Jonilyah Chambers (4.9 points, 46.3 percent shooting), Lexi Deaver (3.6 points, 36.5 percent three-point shooting), and Laken Williams (2.6 points, 42.9 percent three-point shooting) have also been consistent parts of the rotation, while sophomore big Bella Thornburg and freshmen guards Addison Edmondson, Molly Howard and Jaden Tucker round out the roster.

Shawnee State sports supreme defense

  • Shawnee State continues to sport a terrific defense as the Bears currently sit:
    • 11th nationally in defensive points per game (54.7 points)
    • 13th nationally in rebounding margin (plus-10)
    • 15th nationally in steals (12.5)

Additional

The Bears now turn their attention to a Saturday afternoon contest against Indiana-East, which begins at 3 p.m. in Waller Gymnasium. Three players, including Cianna Gloster, Sanaya Gregory and Jada Johnson, will be honored prior to the contest as part of Senior Day festivities.

Highlights of Shawnee State's 77-73 victory over now-No. 15 Rio Grande are below! Rio Grande was ranked ninth coming into the contest.