Wyoming Cowgirls basketball

Last updated
Wyoming Cowgirls
Basketball current event.svg 2023–24 Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team
Wyoming Athletics logo.svg
University University of Wyoming
Head coach Heather Ezell (2nd season)
Conference Mountain West
Location Laramie, Wyoming
Arena Arena-Auditorium
(Capacity: 11,612)
Nickname Cowgirls
ColorsBrown and gold [1]
   
Uniforms
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Home
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Away


NCAA tournament appearances
2008, 2021
Conference tournament champions
2021
Conference regular season champions
1990

The Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team is a women's college basketball team at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. Competing in the Mountain West Conference, the organization has a tradition dating back to 1973. [2]

Contents

History

The program began in 1973, with Bonnie Hulstrand as head coach. Following Hulstrand's leaving for the Idaho Vandals, [3] Margie Hunt McDonald led the team for 9 seasons, finishing her coaching career with over 100 wins and a winning record at Wyoming. [2] When McDonald left coaching to become the executive director of the High Country Athletic Conference, [4] Dan Richards coached the team for three seasons. Chad Lavin was hired as head coach in 1986 and coached the Cowgirls for 12 seasons, including the 1989–90 season, in which the Cowgirls won their only conference regular season title. [5] In 1998, Cheyenne, Wyoming native Cindy Fisher was hired as the head coach of the Cowgirls, and coached the team for five seasons, including the 2003 season, in which the Cowgirls appeared in the WNIT for the first time. [6] In 2003, Fisher resigned her position, citing personal reasons. [7]

On May 1, 2003, Wyoming announced the hiring of Utah assistant Joe Legerski as head coach. [8] At the end of his first season, Legerski won the Mountain West Conference coach of the year award after leading a team with 7 freshman and 10 underclassman to a 5th place finish in the conference. [9] In 2006, the Cowgirls achieved both the second 20–win season in the program's history and the program's second appearance in the WNIT. [10] The next season, the team continued to improve, again winning over 20 games and making the WNIT tournament for 2007. The Cowgirls made it to the championship game and defeated Wisconsin 72–56 to win the tournament in front of a record crowd of 15,462 in the Arena-Auditorium. [11] The 27 wins recorded by the 2006–07 team remain a program record. The Cowgirls continued to see improving results, finishing 24–7 and earning the program's first berth into the NCAA tournament, although the team lost in the first round to Pittsburgh. [12] Over the next 11 seasons, the Cowgirls recorded 7 more 20–win seasons and 6 more appearances in the WNIT. At the conclusion of the 2018–19 season, Joe Legerski announced he was retiring as head coach after 16 years. [13] Legerski won Mountain West conference coach of the year three times (2003–04, 2016–17, 2017–18) and retired as the program's winningest coach with a record of 314–186 (.628).

On May 7, 2019, longtime Cowgirl assistant Gerald Mattinson was named the seventh head coach in program history. [14] In Mattinson's first season as the head coach, the Cowgirls went 17–12, and reached the semifinals of the Mountain West tournament. In Mattinson's second season, the Cowgirls went 14–10, but won the Mountain West tournament, the first in program history. [15] The Cowgirls lost to UCLA in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament. [16]

Coaching records

TenureCoachSeasonsRecordWin Pct.
1973–1974Bonnie Hulstrand111–4.733
1974–1983Margie McDonald9123–114.519
1983–1986Dan Richards323–60.277
1986–1998Chad Lavin12175–161.521
1998–2003 Cindy Fisher 559–81.421
2003–2019 Joe Legerski 16314–186.628
2019–2022 Gerald Mattinson 348–35.578
2022–present Heather Ezell 241–26.612
Totals8 coaches51 seasons794–667.543

Postseason

NCAA tournament

The Cowgirls have appeared in the NCAA tournament two times. Their record is 0–2.

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult/Score
2008 11First round(6) PittsburghL 58–63
2021 14First round(3) #9 UCLAL 48–69

WNIT

The Cowgirls have appeared in the WNIT 12 times. Their combined record is 22–11. They won the tournament in 2007.

YearRoundOpponentResult/Score
2003First round
Second round		Montana
Colorado State		W 76–74 OT
L 64–73
2006Second round
Third round		Oregon State
Nebraska		W 67–49
L 67–72
2007 First round
Second round
Third round
Quarterfinal
Semifinal
Championship		Nevada
Missouri
Oregon
South Dakota State
Kansas State
Wisconsin		W 84–56
W 73–67
W 64–62
W 70–59
W 89–79 3OT
W 72–56
2010 First round
Second round
Third round		Nevada
Texas Tech
BYU		W 74–53
W 68–57 OT
L 63–67
2011 First round
Second round
Third round		Portland State
Oklahoma State
Colorado		W 79–44
W 75–71
L 58–70
2013 First roundNorthern ColoradoL 63–71
2017 First round
Second round		Seattle
Washington State		W 68–52
L 68–67 OT
2018 First round
Second round		New Mexico State
U.C. Davis		W 67–59
L 72–64
2019 First round
Second round
Third round
Quarterfinal		Northern Colorado
South Alabama
Pepperdine
Arizona		W 68–60
W 78–71
W 61–60
L 47–67
2022 First round
Second round
Third round		Idaho State
Tulsa
UCLA		W 76–73OT
W 97–903OT
L 81–823OT
2023 First round
Second round		Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
Kansas State		W 75–41
L 55-71
2024 Second round
Super 16
Great 8		UTSA
South Dakota
Minnesota		W 80–64
W 84–52
L 54–65

NWIT

The Cowgirls appeared in the NWIT 1 time. Their record is 0–3.

YearOpponentResult/Score
1990Toledo
Fresno State
Maine		L 58–75
L 63–67
L 48–68

Team records

As of 2022–23 season

Career leaders

Career Scoring Leaders
SeasonsPlayerPoints
1985–89Christine Fairless1933
1984–87Michele Hoppes1842
1992–95Amy Burnett1782
2012–15Kayla Woodward1769
2005–08Hanna Zavecz1746
1999–2003Carrie Bacon1692
2007–11Aubrey Vandiver1654
1980–83Rita Makovicka1578
1989–92Marie Kauffman1526
1979–82Lori Kline1521
Career Rebounding Leaders
SeasonsPlayerRebounds
1984–87Michele Hoppes1104
1980–83Rita Makovicka1006
1979–82Lori Kline947
2007–11Aubrey Vandiver936
1976–79Linda Gilpin890
1989–92Marie Kauffman872
1992–95Amy Burnett829
2012–15Kayla Woodward812
2010–13Chaundra Sewell785
1977–79Dale Ann Meeker770
Career Assists Leaders
SeasonsPlayerAssists
1985–88Lisa Daniels573
2013–16Marquelle Dent514
2005–08Hanna Zavecz432
1991–94Anna Knight396
2017–19Clara Tapia394
2001–04Brenda Pickup391
2018–23Tommi Olson375
1983–86Jenny Przekwas374
1988–90Mickey Alexander352
2002–05Ashley Elliott330
Career Blocks Leaders
SeasonsPlayerBlocks
1979–82Lori Kline322
2008–11Hillary Carlson212
2005–08Hanna Zavecz162
1984–87Michele Hoppes134
1994–97Jessica Thompson117
2021-presentAllyson Fertig97
2006–09Rebecca Vanderjagt94
2010–13Chaundra Sewell81
1987–91Yvette Plumlee79
2009–13Ashley Sickles77
Career Steals Leaders
SeasonsPlayerSteals
1985–88Lisa Daniels279
2005–08Hanna Zavecz226
2001–04Brenda Pickup209
2002–05Ashley Elliott187
1987–91Yvette Plumlee187
2013–16Marquelle Dent181
2018–23Tommi Olson172
1999–2003Carrie Bacon169
2007–11Aubrey Vandiver156
1983–86Jenny Przkewas155
Career Games played Leaders
SeasonsPlayerGames
2018–23Quinn Weidemann149
2007–11Aubrey Vandiver133
2018–23Tommi Olson128
2017–20Taylor Rusk128
2016–19Marta Gomez128
2005–08Dominique Sisk125
2006–09Megan McGuffey125
2005–08Hanna Zavecz124
2005–08Jodi Bolerjack124
2010–13Chaundra Sewell124

Single-season leaders

Single–Season Scoring Leaders
SeasonPlayerPoints
2010–11Aubrey Vandiver625
1994–95Amy Burnett614
2010–11Hillary Carlson572
1993–94Amy Burnett568
1986–87Michele Hoppes566
1988–89Christine Fairless551
2014–15Marquelle Dent531
2018–19Marta Gomez530
1987–88Christine Fairless523
2013–14Kayla Woodward519
Single–Season Rebounding Leaders
SeasonPlayerRebounds
2009–10Aubrey Vandiver323
2012–13Chaundra Sewell310
2013–14Fallon Lewis305
2010–11Aubrey Vandiver303
1984–85Michele Hoppes298
2022–23Allyson Fertig296
2018–19Bailee Cotton293
1993–94Amy Burnett286
1981–82Rita Makovicka285
1979–80Sue Owens281
Single–Season Assists Leaders
SeasonPlayerAssists
1986–87Lisa Daniels249
1991–92Valerie Harrison195
1989–90Mickey Alexander190
2014–15Marquelle Dent180
1985–86Jenny Przekwas163
1988–89Mickey Alexander162
2015–16Marquelle Dent161
1984–85Jenny Przekwas157
1987–88Lisa Daniels156
2016–17Clara Tapia145
Single–Season Blocks Leaders
SeasonPlayerBlocks
2009–10Hillary Carlson98
1981–82Lori Kline93
1980–81Lori Kline85
1982–83Lori Kline80
2010–11Hillary Carlson73
2022–23Allyson Fertig69
1979–80Lori Kline64
2007–08Hanna Zavecz51
2006–07Hanna Zavecz49
1994–95Jessica Thompson45
Single–Season Steals Leaders
SeasonPlayerSteals
2000–01Jessica Gibbs78
2003–04Brenda Pickup75
1984–85Jenny Przekwas75
2004–05Ashley Elliott74
2005–06Hanna Zavecz69
1989–90Yvette Plumlee68
1982–83Kristy Bennett68
1979–80Sara St. Clair68
1979–80Kellie Cardona67
1981–82Kristy Bennett66
2014–15Marquelle Dent66

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References

  1. ↑ University of Wyoming Athletics Style Guide (PDF). August 22, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Hammond, Bob (26 June 2010). "Wyoming Sports Hall honors McDonald, 2010 class tonight". Casper Star Tribune. Laramie Boomerang. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Wiebe, Stephen (30 January 2014). "Basketball team born — Women's basketball program has been growing for 39 years". The University of Idaho Argonaut. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. ↑ Shumur, Sally Ann (23 February 2020). "Women's basketball coach Margie McDonald paved the way for Cowgirls' success". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Chad Lavin - Women's Basketball". csurams.com. Colorado State University. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Field selected for 2003 Postseason WNIT". womensnit.com. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "Citing personal reasons, Wyoming's Fisher quits". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 22 April 2003. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Kiggins, Steve (1 May 2003). "UW goes with Legerski as women's basketball coach". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Gullberg, Ron (9 March 2004). "Cowgirls coach wins top honor". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Wyoming's Legerski gets two-year extension". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "COWGIRLS ARE WNIT CHAMPIONS!". gowyo.com. Associated Press. 31 March 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  12. ↑ "WYOMING COWGIRL BASKETBALL ANNOUNCES 2008-09 SCHEDULE". gowyo.com. University of Wyoming. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Potter, Davis (26 April 2019). "After four decades, it's 'the right time' to retire for Joe Legerski". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  14. ↑ "Gerald Mattinson Named Next Cowgirl Basketball Head Coach". gowyo.com. University of Wyoming. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  15. ↑ Potter, Davis (11 March 2021). "For Wyoming's own Gerald Mattinson, delivering a historic title is 'extra special'". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  16. ↑ Potter, Davis (22 March 2021). "Cowgirls' historic season ends with first-round loss to UCLA". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
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