Davidson canceled the remainder of its women’s basketball season on Friday because of a ‘significant number of injuries” that reduced its roster to just a few available players.
The Wildcats (18-8) had one game left in the regular season, against Saint Louis on Saturday, which they forfeited. The Atlantic 10 school in Davidson, North Carolina, won’t play in any postseason tournaments.
“We are incredibly saddened that we cannot finish out the season strong but feel this is the best decision for our scholar-athletes,” athletic director Chris Clunie said in a statement.
Davidson said it made the decision because of the “physical, mental and emotional toll” of what has been an “unfortunate and injury-riddled season.”
The forfeited games don’t count toward the Wildcats’ record. They finished with a .692 winning percentage, their best since 2006-07.
“This decision is not one that we are taking lightly, as no one wanted it to end this way,” coach Gayle Fulks said. “Our team of young women is the strongest, most caring, and most competitive team I have ever been a part of. They have been an absolute joy to coach, every single day.”
Davidson forfeited games against Dayton and Fordham before hosting George Washington on Wednesday for senior night. The Wildcats lost 45-40 and had only seven players available.
They aren’t the only team to have injury issues this year. TCU and Arizona ran into similar situations in January and held open tryouts to fill out their rosters.
The Horned Frogs canceled games against Kansas State and Iowa State before adding players.
Davidson won 12 of its first 13 games, including a victory at Duke.
“Despite the challenging nature of the way this season has unfolded, our team never wavered and competed to the very end,” Fulks said. “I am confident there is no team in the country that would have handled the hardship we faced with as much grace, strength and adaptability as our young women did. I am so proud of them.”
