Millikin Advances In NCAA Women's Basketball Tourney

Miranda Fox

DECATUR -- Millikin University earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and the players are making the most of it.

The Big Blue handed Wartburg College an 81-68 loss in Eau Claire, Wis. in opening round play last week. In that contest, Effingham High School graduate, Miranda Fox played 18 minutes for the winners. She connected on a three-pointer, had two rebounds and six assists.

Millikin then advanced to face Wisonsin-Eau Claire and edged the homestanders, 59-56. Fox was a starter for the Big Blue and played 25 minutes. She had three field goal attempts but didn't score, but did pull down four rebounds and had one assist.

That victory gave the Big Blue a 23-6 record and advanced them to the Sectional Round.

Millikin will meet Hope College Friday at 5 p.m.. Hope College comes into the meeting with a 28-1 record. If Mililkin wins, the Big Blue advance to the NCAA Sectional championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. against either New York University (24-1) or Scranton University (27-2). Those two play at 4 p.m. Friday.

Fox, a junior played in 14 games with 13 starts during the 2020-21 season, averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She won the team’s Big Blue Award. She was named CCIW Academic All-Conference. Fox played in 14 games with 13 starts averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She won the team’s Big Blue Award. She was named CCIW Academic All-Conference.

In 2019-20, Fox was named Millikin’s Most Improved Player. She played in 26 games with 17 starts and averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. She recorded a team high 50 steals. 

Her career highs have included 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and one block.

During this season, Fox has played in 29 games, scored 73 points for a 2.52 average, has pulled down 3.69 rebounds a game, has 82 assists, 54 steals and four blocked shots.

Also a member of the Mililkin squad from Effingham High School is freshman Taylor Armstong. Armstrong has competed in two games this season and was one of one from the field for two points and pulled down a rebound.

Taylor Armstrong