Feb. 28, 2020—Both Haskell Indian Nations University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams heard their final buzzer for the season in their final games during the Association of Independent Institutions conference tournaments.
The HINU women’s team came into the tournament as the fourth seed playing against fifth seed Wilberforce University. The game ended with an upset loss of 60-67. Team member Nizhoni Thomas led with 16 points for HINU. Sixth seed HINU men’s team faced up against third seed Lincoln College. Despite a 23-6 run over seven minutes by the HINU men, Lincoln College was able to secure a 74-61 victory. Bryon Elledge had the high point lead for HINU with 21 points.
Students from both the men’s and women’s teams received recognition at the A.I.I. conference banquet. For the women’s team: senior Janee Bates received awards for “First Team All Conference” as well “Champions of Character”, and freshman Odessa Begay received “Honorable Mention All Conference”; men’s team: senior Nakia Hendricks received “First Team All Conference”, senior Bryon Elledge received “Honorable Mention All Conference”, and junior Elias Her Many Horses received “Champions of Characters”.
The season legacy by both teams includes a 12-17 win loss record by the women and a 16-13 record for the men.
Other notable moments over the season were Nakia Hendricks being recognized as an “A.I.I. Player of the Week”. HINU also recognized its own athletes of the week which have included Antwon Winn and Justine Butterfield.
Through the course of the season, senior athletes Bryon Elledge, Nakia Hendricks, and Tristan KeahTigh each scored their 1000th career point. Elledge reaching this milestone against Langston University on Nov. 20 and both Hendricks and Keah-Tigh on Feb. 12 against Crowlye’s Ridge College, Hendricks first with KeahTigh following later that game.
We want to congratulate our student athletes on their seasons, victories, and recognitions, Onward Haskell!
