The Drury Lady Panthers basketball team will play in the NCAA Division Two Midwest Regional basketball games this weekend at the O’Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield. But the stands will be mostly empty for the first three games of the national championship tournament.
The NC-Double-A made a decision Wednesday to conduct upcoming championship events, including all men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.
Drury put out a statement Wednesday saying, because of the decision by the NCAA, there will be no public access to the games this weekend. In the statement, Drury officials said, “from a fan and gameday standpoint, we are obviously extremely disappointed. But from a public health and safety standpoint, we understand why this decision was made.”
They’re working with the NCAA on how to address ticket refunds.
Drury Lady Panthers head coach, Molly Miller, says they were looking forward to rewarding their fans and student athletes with the games. But she says they want what’s best for the community. She say the team “will remain focused on competing and reaching our ultimate goal.”
