We've arrived at number one…for the last several weeks, we have counted down the Drury Dozen – the top 12 moments from 2018-19 as voted on by members of the Drury University athletics staff and others that covered DU Athletics.
The list on this countdown did not reflect the most significant moments from the year, although the biggest games/events certainly played a part in our decision. Ultimately, these were our
favorite moments from the previous year and the ones that we will likely always associate with the 2018-19 sports season.
#1 – Lady Panthers defeat Grand Valley St. to win the Midwest Regional
The moment voted number one by our panel for 2018-19 was the Lady Panthers 51-44 win over Grand Valley State in the NCAA-II Midwest Regional championship game.
The game marked the fourth straight season Drury played for the regional title but the for the first time in that span, they were on their home floor.
A crowd of more than 2,400 watched a Lady Panthers team have to dig deep and rally to win a physical, gritty, hard-fought game.
For the first time in 34 outings, Drury trailed at halftime as they fell behind the Lakers 25-22 at the intermission. The Lady Panthers seized a 32-30 lead with 6:30 left in the third quarter and stretched that margin to 10 points, 49-39 early in the final period. Drury scored just two points in the final 7:45 of regulation but their defense held off Grand Valley State down the stretch for a seven-point win.
It marked the fourth time the Lady Panthers got to cut down the nets as regional champions, but their accomplishments didn't end that night. The following week Drury would advance to the Division II Final Four for the second time in program history.
RECAP- Midwest Regional Championship
Video Highlights
The Drury Dozen Countdown – 2018-19
#12 – Men's tennis win at #23 Wayne St. in the NCAA-II tournament
#11 – Men's basketball wins at Southern Indiana 76-72 and sparked a winning streak
#10 – Claire McCune wins her second straight GLVC cross country championship
#9 – DU volleyball rallies for 3-2 win over 4th ranked Lewis
#8 – Drury softball wins first postseason games in program history
#7 – Drury baseball bounces back for two wins in NCAA-II tournament
#6 – Lady Panthers win their third straight GLVC title
#5 – Panthers beat 15th ranked Lewis in GLVC semifinals
#4 – DU women's swimming is the NCAA-II runner-up
#3 – Lady Panthers advance to D-II Final Four
#2 – DU volleyball defeats Hillsdale in NCAA-II tournament
