For the first time in program history, Chatham’s women’s basketball team can call themselves Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Champions.
The Cougars hosted Geneva in a raucous Athletic and Fitness Center on Feb. 24, defeating the Golden Tornadoes 77-50.
The team did not let the bright lights and high-energy atmosphere of a championship game affect them. I can’t even put into words how excited, and just in awe I am of our team and the young women and just the six years it took to kind of get to this point. It all came to a head today and it’s just a testament to the University, our student-athletes and they bought in and we got it done. — Head Coach David Saur
“This environment is amazing,” Emily Durkee ‘25 said. “We had a great student section, a great family section as well. We definitely feed off of energy from the environment.”
Starting the game on a 19-3 run, the Cougars were in control of the contest from the get-go. Chatham maintained a healthy lead until the third quarter when Geneva clawed their way back to cut the deficit to seven.
Some teams would have folded after nearly blowing a massive lead in the championship game, but not these Cougars. It feels surreal. We had this last year, we came a little short, and we were very determined to come back here and we deserve it. — Emily Durkee '25
“They’ve been through it all in the last two years,” head coach David Saur said. “High-level games in all different environments. Start well, start slow, it really was another day in the office for them.”
Ashlie Louden ‘25 led all scorers tonight with 23, while Arielle Brunner had seven steals on the night, which upped her record-setting season total to 120.
The team took pride in their defensive responsibilities, and making sure every player made an impact. Ever since freshmen year I knew we could do it. Each year we kept getting closer so it’s amazing. — Aurielle Brunner '25
“It was a real team effort,” Brunner said. “We couldn’t have done it without the people that were on the bench, every day in practice, they help us. Everyone puts effort in.”
The team will be heading to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. They will learn who they will square off against in round one on Feb. 26.
“We’re enjoying the heck out of this thing for the next two days at least, and then we’ll get to work on Tuesday, and we got NCAA tournament next weekend,” Saur said.
