The basketball season at Lourdes University this winter has been twice as fun.
Both the Gray Wolves men's and women's basketball teams have earned the right to compete on the national stage during March.
The Lourdes basketball teams each earned berths in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics postseason tournament and will play on Friday.
The men enter the tournament with a 21-8 overall record, while the women have a 22-10 mark. This will be the fifth appearance in the national tournament for the men's program and the first for the women.
“It really means so much to the team to be making history,” LU women's coach Tandy Bradford said. “I'm proud of how they have aspired to be women who want to work hard to create history for their team and their university.”
Lourdes athletic director Jo Ann Gordon said the tournament berths demonstrate the success and growth of both programs.
“It shows that the department is fostering an environment of teamwork, competitiveness, and perseverance,” Gordon said. “It brings a sense of pride and unity, as it reflects positively on the university's overall culture and commitment to excellence.”
Gordon said she is extremely proud of the coaches and student-athletes, especially because the basketball season is grueling.
“Postseason [berths] highlights the talent, hard work, and dedication of the students, coaches, and staff involved,” she said. “It truly takes a village.”
MEN
The men team earned an at-large bid to the tournament. The No. 14-seeded Gray Wolves will take on No. 3-seeded host Huntington University in the opening round in Huntington, Ind. The winner will advance to the second round on Saturday.
First-year coach Jake DuPree, who has been with the program since its inception in 2015-16, said the achievement is a testament to the team's entire body of work this season.
“To be fortunate enough to receive an at-large bid in the national tournament is no easy task. It means everything to us,” DuPree said. “We are very grateful for the opportunity, while at the same time very determined to win. We are not satisfied with just making it. We want to make a run.”
The Gray Wolves were picked to finish sixth in the WHAC out of 13 teams, but finished second with a 15-5 record.
“We were much better than people thought we were going to be,” he said. “Off the court, we are going to graduate six seniors. And the education piece is the most important part of this program.”
DuPree, who served under three other head coaches, took over for Dennis Hopson prior to the start of the season.
“We showed a lot of fight,” DuPree said. “We had quite a few close games and came out on top in most of them. We've dealt with injuries to our key players.”
Senior guard Shaunn Monroe leads the team in scoring at 23.4 points per game. Monroe was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
“Shaunn’s production has had a tremendous impact on our team's success,” DuPree said. “You don’t earn WHAC Player of the Year if your production doesn’t impact winning. He was also first team all defense as well.”
Monroe, who is from Charleston, W. Va., also has made a team-high 55 3-pointers. Monroe also leads the Gray Wolves in rebounds (123), assists (111), and steals (69).
“He knew coming into this season that he was going to have to take his game to another level, especially after all the talent we lost,” DuPree said. “He was not afraid to take on that responsibility and ended up being one of the most efficient players in the country. His teammates deserve a lot of credit for the success we have seen this year.”
Senior guard/forward Derrell Jones has averaged 11.4 points per game followed by freshman guard Derek Fairley (8.8), freshman guard Adonus Abrams (8.3), and senior guard Kendall Perkins (7.1).
Fairley was named to the All-WHAC freshman team.
Derrell Jones also averages 4.7 rebounds per game followed by senior forward/guard Devyn Jones (3.7). Abrams is shooting 60 percent from the floor. Fairley has 52 assists and Devyn Jones, who is a Cardinal Stritch graduate, has 35.
“We played many different lines up and different players stepped up,” DuPree said.
The men are averaging 79.6 points per game and giving up 72.2.
“We had one of the most efficient offenses in the country this season,” DuPree said.
He credited assistant coach Brett Lauf for calling the offense.
“He has one of the best offensive minds in the country,” DuPree said.
He said the coaching staff gives the players “controlled freedom of movement.”
“But at the same time we have a lot of great offensive sets to get guys quality looks,” DuPree said.
On the defensive end, Lourdes was consistently locked in and playing to its potential.
“That is what made us a really good team,” DuPree said. “You combine getting stops with being very efficient on the offensive end, that will always translate to success.”
When the Gray Wolves take the court on Friday it will have been 15 days since the last time they played a game.
“Nothing can replace actual game reps,” DuPree said. “We have been trying our best to make our practices like how we feel the game will be. We're definitely eager to hit the court.”
In that game, Lourdes saw its WHAC tournament run come to an early end in a 96-94 overtime loss to the University of Northwestern Ohio. The Gray Wolves built a 13-point lead late in the first half before falling in a back-and-forth OT.
“We learned that every possession means something,” DuPree said. “There are no more do-overs when you are in the national tournament. The winners move on, and the losers’ season is over. If that alone doesn’t motivate you, I’m not sure what would.”
The Gray Wolves previously appeared in the NAIA National Championship in 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023, and 2024. But they hold an 0-5 all-time record in tournament play. The national tournament field consists of 34 automatic qualifiers and 30 at-large selections.
DuPree said he the keys to a long run in will be his team's toughness, discipline, and togetherness.
“The team that can execute the game plan and make the least amount of mistakes [will advance],” he said.
WOMEN
The women, which won the WHAC title, earned the No. 16 seed and will take on No. 1 overall seed Campbellsville University in the opening round game on Friday in Campbellsville, Ky.
Bradford said she has preached to her team to be at its best at the end of the season.
“This team has built such a great chemistry and has been working hard on their identity,” Bradford said. “We'll be able to stay focused.”
Bradford said winning the WHAC has proven to the players that if they work for each other it will lead to success. She also said there were tight games that helped build confidence.
The Gray Wolves are outscoring their opponents 70.6 to 64.2 per game.
Junior guard Emma Pedroza leads the team in scoring at 18.0 points per game. Pedroza, a Napoleon graduate, also leads the team in assists with 120, ranks second in rebounding (6.5 per game), and is third in steals (64).
Junior forward Macie Stringfellow, a Perrysburg graduate, ranks second on the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game. Stringfellow also has a team-high 248 rebounds (7.8 per game) along with 72 assists.
“ Emma and Macie have both been playing with a lot of desire and focus on two things: winning and teamwork,” Bradford said. “Their ability to step into big moments has elevated other players to be their best.”
The team's next three leading scorers are senior guard Nadeen Jemaa (9.7 points per game), sophomore guard/forward Tamyah Worthy (9.6), and junior forward Grace Ryan (9.5).
Bradford said Ryan and Worthy have fought through injuries from last season.
“They're both hardworking and selfless individuals,” she said.
Jemma, also a Perrysburg graduate, has 84 total assists, second most on the team.
“Nadeen deserves every moment of all of this success,” Bradford said. “She leads us with her energy, her love for the game, and her desire to win. Her work ethic spreads through the team.”
Worthy, a Start graduate, averages 5.6 rebounds per game, and has a team-high 68 steals. Grace, a Bedford product, has pulled down 4.9 rebounds per game. Stringfellow has 72 assists and 66 steals.
“Every player really contributes something special to our growth and our success,” Bradford said.
Bradford, who is in her fourth season, has guided Lourdes to a 55-66 overall record. This season, they finished with a program best in total (17) and conference (12) wins.They also posted a 10-1 record at home.
A tough schedule and tight games will pay dividends in the tournament, according to the coach.
“That will help us with our poise and our ability to communicate and work together in any moment,” Bradford said. “We have confidence in each other and we are battle-tested.”
Bradford said drawing Campbellsville in the first round will be a big test.
“But we have not ever been a team to run away from 'hard,'” Bradford said. “This team wants to be challenged to get the best from themselves.”
She said said her team must control the pace and be balanced.
“It takes sacrifice and learning shot selection, timing, and being a great part of a team,” Bradford said.
The Gray Wolves play fast and can score but have also been very good at the defensive end.
“We have some very talented defensive players,” she said.
Bradford said the keys to a long tournament run come down to poise and preparation.
“Doing all the little things with execution and discipline is essential,” Bradford said. “Mentally we have to stay locked in and not get distracted by the process of attending the postseason.”
Bradford said her Gray Wolves have a very mature rotation of players who understand how to prepare.
“They have been winners their whole lives if you look at the history of where they are from and they've had adversity,” Bradford said. “These are fun memories that last a lifetime.”
The Gray Wolves AD said earning postseason berths not only validates the efforts of the athletes and coaching staff but also helps raise the profile of the athletic department.
“It will and has led to increased recognition, school spirit, and even future opportunities for recruitment and fundraising,” Gordon said.
First Published March 13, 2025, 9:49 p.m.
