SectionsLast JQH action for Dwyer
Leah Randazzo
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Sports
For the Lady Bears and coach Nyla Milleson, Sunday was the last game at JQH Arena this season. But for senior post Maggie Dwyer, it was her last.
At last Wednesday's practice, Dwyer expressed her excitement for the weekend and her thirst for one good, final run in a Missouri State uniform.
"I would really like to finish the season well after struggling a bit in the beginning," she said.
But anyone who attended Friday's game knows that "well" was quite an understatement.
Dwyer had her best game of the season, adding to the scoreboard a season-high 22 points, 14 of those in the first half, and a few vital spurts that gave the Purple Aces of Evansville no chance of catching the Lady Bears.
She single-handedly led the Lady Bears to their 80-67 win over Evansville.
Dwyer averages 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game after receiving the Missouri Valley Conference's Newcomer of the Year for the 2007-08 season, as well as last year's second-team all-conference honors.
"I think I was just more aggressive tonight and getting more used to being in this post position," Dwyer said of her performance in the victory over Evansville. "It's bad that it took this long (in the season) but hopefully, it will continue on."
Milleson was pleased with Dwyer's efforts on Friday as well, congratulating her for the performance.
"Tremendous effort by Maggie," Milleson said. "I think the thing with that is that she has struggled on the offensive end this year, but she's just continued to play very, very hard, and tonight she was aggressive from the start. Really, in the last two games, she has been aggressive."
Sunday conference-rival Southern Illinois was next in the picture, and Dwyer knew it was going to be a tough fight. Not only against the opponent, but fighting the emotions of her last home game as a Lady Bear.
"It's going to be sad," Dwyer said of her final home game. "But we know we have to play well against SIU because we did not play good against them last time. We can beat them, so we want to win."
The Salukis came out on top before, 69-58 in Carbondale on Jan. 31.
But on Sunday, the Lady Bears came out on top over SIU to make a successful Senior Day. Dwyer added six points and four rebounds to the 69-57 in 26 minutes in the 69-57 victory.
Before and after the game the seniors, Dwyer and center Jamie Adams, were honored. After the game, each senior gave a short speech thanking everyone for their support.
Dwyer included her family, teammates and friends, in her farewell speech.
"I would like to thank, my friend, Tahnee (Balerio); Jamie (Adams); and T-Copp (Tiffany Coppage)," she said. "I would like to thank my teammates. It has kind of been a rough year for me, but every single one of them has been there for me, no matter what.
"I would like to thank my family; Mom, Dad, I love you guys. The fans; it's been so great playing in front of such great fans. I'm going to miss it a lot."
At last Wednesday's practice, Dwyer expressed her excitement for the weekend and her thirst for one good, final run in a Missouri State uniform.
"I would really like to finish the season well after struggling a bit in the beginning," she said.
But anyone who attended Friday's game knows that "well" was quite an understatement.
Dwyer had her best game of the season, adding to the scoreboard a season-high 22 points, 14 of those in the first half, and a few vital spurts that gave the Purple Aces of Evansville no chance of catching the Lady Bears.
She single-handedly led the Lady Bears to their 80-67 win over Evansville.
Dwyer averages 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game after receiving the Missouri Valley Conference's Newcomer of the Year for the 2007-08 season, as well as last year's second-team all-conference honors.
"I think I was just more aggressive tonight and getting more used to being in this post position," Dwyer said of her performance in the victory over Evansville. "It's bad that it took this long (in the season) but hopefully, it will continue on."
Milleson was pleased with Dwyer's efforts on Friday as well, congratulating her for the performance.
"Tremendous effort by Maggie," Milleson said. "I think the thing with that is that she has struggled on the offensive end this year, but she's just continued to play very, very hard, and tonight she was aggressive from the start. Really, in the last two games, she has been aggressive."
Sunday conference-rival Southern Illinois was next in the picture, and Dwyer knew it was going to be a tough fight. Not only against the opponent, but fighting the emotions of her last home game as a Lady Bear.
"It's going to be sad," Dwyer said of her final home game. "But we know we have to play well against SIU because we did not play good against them last time. We can beat them, so we want to win."
The Salukis came out on top before, 69-58 in Carbondale on Jan. 31.
But on Sunday, the Lady Bears came out on top over SIU to make a successful Senior Day. Dwyer added six points and four rebounds to the 69-57 in 26 minutes in the 69-57 victory.
Before and after the game the seniors, Dwyer and center Jamie Adams, were honored. After the game, each senior gave a short speech thanking everyone for their support.
Dwyer included her family, teammates and friends, in her farewell speech.
"I would like to thank, my friend, Tahnee (Balerio); Jamie (Adams); and T-Copp (Tiffany Coppage)," she said. "I would like to thank my teammates. It has kind of been a rough year for me, but every single one of them has been there for me, no matter what.
"I would like to thank my family; Mom, Dad, I love you guys. The fans; it's been so great playing in front of such great fans. I'm going to miss it a lot."
Be the first to comment on this story