Cowgirl Basketball WNIT Championship Appearance To Honor The Four

Cowgirl basketball has overcome a lot this year. The devastating loss of Coach Budke, assistant Miranda Serna, and Alums Olin Branstetter and his wife Paula in a plane crash in November could have caused the Cowgirls to write-off their season. Instead, they have excelled their way into the finals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament, with a match-up against James Madison on Saturday at 2pm. Just making their way to the finals is an excellent memorial to four people who gave their lives supporting Cowgirl basketball.

James Madison brings in a 29-7 record to Gallagher-Iba. This record includes NIT wins over Wake Forrest, Virginia, and Syracuse. The Cowgirls will not have an easy championship victory on Saturday.

Coach Travis Ford has purchased 400 tickets to insure that Gallagher-Iba Arena is rocking and rolling in support of the Cowgirls, and every effort should be made to attend by students. GIA will be the loudest place in the state of Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon, and it is a moment no Cowboy or Cowgirl will want to miss. Coach Budke, Miranda, and the Branstetters will be up there somewhere watching and smiling, Budke no doubt decked in his signature Orange sport jacket. As always, GO POKES! WIN IT FOR THE FOUR!