Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Sunday, Nov. 24
The Indiana Daily Student

sports

Quarterfinals loss means goodbye for Hoosiers' dynamic duo

Valentin, DeMuth end careers, leave mark on IU

MILWAUKEE -- The final buzzer echoed through the Al Maguire Center Friday night as the Marquette fans cheered their team's WNIT quarterfinals victory. Quietly in front of the scorer's table, the 2005-06 IU women's basketball team came together one last time and then walked off the court together while the PA announcer thanked both players and fans for a great game.\nAnd that was it for seniors Cyndi Valentin and Jenny DeMuth. \nFriday night's 57-54 loss at Marquette was the last collegiate game for the two seniors, who helped lead the team to a 19-14 record in IU coach Sharon first year at the helm of the Hoosiers.\n"Cyndi and Jenny have brought so much pride to the IU women's basketball program," Versyp said. "I've been very fortunate to coach them this year."\nFriday evening's loss came down to one last shot for the Hoosiers. Though the attempt did not drop, the senior captain Valentin nearly willed the ball into the basket.\n"We didn't want Cyndi to get the ball," said Marquette coach Terri Mitchell. "She's an amazing player. Just look at what she did at Indiana State and then tonight again. That's what big-time players do."\nEven when things seemed bleak for the Hoosiers, the seniors knew they were still in the game.\n"This team has never thought 'once you're down, you're out.'" DeMuth said. "We've always fought back, and I think we proved that at Indiana State when we were down the whole game and came back. The thought of losing never really crossed our minds."\nSo for the two seniors, their IU careers are finished. However, they will not be remembered for that last loss, but rather for what they did during the course of their careers in the cream and crimson. Both seniors rank in the top 10 in several career statistics at IU.\nBloomington native Valentin currently sits atop the all-time free throw percentage -- 88 percent -- while she climbed into the top 10 in career points this season, finishing her four years at IU with 1,769 points.\n"With Cyndi, she really is one of the best point guards in the Big Ten," Versyp said. "And Terri Mitchell said tonight, 'maybe the best point guard (out of all the point guards) in the Big East.'"\nFor DeMuth, the road was a little bumpier, but she joined Valentin in the record books. Her 1,542 career points stand seventh all-time, while she also holds the all-time records for free throws made and attempted and career steals.\n"For (Jenny) to come back after two ACL injuries within six months was just a huge inspiration for our team," Versyp said. "With her coming back, it allowed us to have a dream year."\nThe next challenge for Versyp is to continue to build the IU women's basketball program without the two mainstays in the line-up. Along with Valentin and DeMuth, the Hoosiers are losing seniors Angie Hawkins, Brigett Branson and Kali Kullberg.\n"They really became two great leaders," Versyp said. "They weren't great leaders in the beginning, but I tell you what, they're going to be very, very missed"

Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe