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(RV) SSU WBB receiving 59 points in NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
Posted: Feb 26, 2025

(RV) SSU WBB receiving 59 points in NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On the back of an outstanding finish to the regular season that included 11 consecutive victories and wins in 17 out of its last 18 games, the women's basketball program at Shawnee State made a sizeable jump, going from four points in the receiving votes section of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll to 59 points as announced by national officials Wednesday in the final poll of the regular season and the next-to-last poll by the NAIA this season.

Shawnee State, who finished the regular season with a 24-4 overall mark and a 15-1 record inside River States Conference action, won 20 games by double-digit margins. Along with double-double machine Cianna Gloster, who is averaging 15.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals on 54.8 percent shooting from the field, the Bears have six additional players averaging between 6.8 to 7.9 points per outing, including Sanaya Gregory, Emily Maynard, Miyoshi Ellis, Jariah Steele, Jada Johnson and Lauren Hawthorne.

Behind those seven players, Jonilyah Chambers, Lexi Deaver and Laken Williams each average between 2.9 to 4.7 points per outing, giving the Bears 10 versatile scoring threats that can either drive, knock down open jump shots, or both.

Addison Edmondson, Molly Howard and Jaden Tucker, along with sophomore center Bella Thornburg, round out the Shawnee State women's basketball roster.

Regular Season Review

Along with winning 20 games by double-digit margins, Shawnee State has cleaned up on conference and national awards as part of its success. Cianna Gloster has won five River States Conference Player of the Week honors -- one offensive, four defensive -- during the 2024-25 season, and Shawnee State women's basketball head coach DeWayne Burroughs was recently named as the NAIA Women's HoopDirt National Coach of the Week Tuesday afternoon by HoopDirt, which was announced here.

Behind its 59 points in the poll, Shawnee State is ranked 30th nationally between those ranked inside the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll as well as those receiving votes. The Bears finished the regular season ranked in the national top-15 in three different categories.

Additional

Shawnee State, who finished the season 24-4 overall and 15-1 in the River States Conference, will face Saint Mary-of-the-Woods at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening in the River States Conference Tournament Quarterfinals.