WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern Lady Moundbuilders wrapped up their 2024-25 basketball season with a 4-20 overall record, including a 4-17 mark in conference play, finishing with an 88-70 setback against Saint Mary on Feb. 22. While the year presented challenges, the team displayed moments of promise and grit that offer hope for the future.
Southwestern averaged 63.8 points per game, shooting 33.4% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. Their steady 67.7% free-throw shooting was a highlight, even as they worked to shore up a defense that allowed 78.0 points per game on 41.9% shooting by opponents. Rebounding proved tough, with a 37.8 to 48.7 per-game disadvantage, but the Lady Moundbuilders kept battling.
Senior Christy Wiebe shone brightly, averaging 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds across 22 starts, finishing with 323 points and an impressive 82.9% from the line. Junior Macey Pond added flair with 11.6 points per game, leading the team with 49 three-pointers at a 36.3% rate. Junior Haven Matthews chipped in 8.9 points per game, pacing the squad with 66 free throws made.
The season tipped off with a 65-52 loss to Cottey (Mo.) on Oct. 26, followed by a tough stretch that included a five-game skid in November and December. Southwestern celebrated its first victory on Nov. 16, topping McPherson 65-58 on the road with 25 free throws. Other wins came against McPherson (59-57) on Jan. 11, Avila (Mo.) (56-48) on Jan. 25, and a thrilling 82-78 triumph over Friends (Kan.) on Feb. 19, their highest-scoring game of the year.
On defense, the Lady Moundbuilders averaged 7.2 steals and 2.9 blocks per game, showing hustle despite opponents' 15.5 assists and 16.4 forced turnovers per contest. Offensively, they posted a 0.779 efficiency rating, while opponents notched 0.943, a gap the team aims to narrow moving forward.
Southwestern went 3-9 at Stewart Field House and 1-11 on the road. A seven-game losing streak from Dec. 7 to Jan. 18 tested their resolve, but a 4-3 February stretch, including the Friends win, provided a late lift and hopes of continuing that momentum into next year.
