For Ursinus Women’s Basketball, fast starts have become a common occurrence. The Bears have roared to winning records over their first five games for three straight years now. This represents a marked turnaround under Coach Bobbi Morgan, who has shifted the state of the program since her hiring in 2021. But so far this season, the Bears have taken their success to the next level. The team has won four straight games, including two of the most dominant victories in program history, with a 78- 20 win over Rosemont College and a 71-43 win over Penn State Brandywine. Through a variety of improvements from just a year ago, the Bears look fiercer than ever before.
Over the past few years during the Bears’ rise, the team has had a distinct offensive identity. They’ve largely looked to find ways to generate points in the paint, especially with star Chinwe Irondi ‘24 dominating in this area. But so far this year, the Bears have developed a new strength: the team currently sits at third in three point percentage in the Centennial Conference at 35%. Colleen Blackman ‘27 has been a key piece of this revolution for the Bears, improving significantly as a scorer in expanded minutes. Blackman’s ability to score from all three levels of the court has created space for the entire Bears offense, forcing defenders to apply extra attention to her at all times. Senior Madison Smith’s marked improvement from beyond has also greatly improved the team offensively. Smith shot 11% on just 27 looks a year ago, but is already up to 20 attempts this season, shooting 40%. Her aggressiveness from beyond the arc forces the defense to guard her from the perimeter, opening up the floor for her signature drives to the basket. The improvement of these two starters from beyond has made the team a force to be reckoned with.
While the Bears’ hot shooting has made them a much greater threat offensively, it’s been the team’s rebounding that has benefitted them most on both ends of the floor. The team ranked 9th in total rebounds per game a year ago with 35.3, a number which has skyrocketed to 44 this year. Irondi and Smith have always been great rebounders, but it seems a greater emphasis has been placed on a team culture of crashing the boards. Guards Charlotte Dilello ‘24 and Makenna Foder ‘25 have contributed heavily here, averaging 3.9 and 3.3 RPG respectively. The two have been active in fighting for second chance opportunities offensively, allowing the offense to work beyond the initial shot clock. This often grants the Bears more opportunities than their opponents, giving them an edge over the competition. Through teamwide aggressiveness, the Bears have given themselves an extra advantage.
One issue which the Bears have struggled with over the past few seasons has been a lack of forward depth. The team has struggled to keep pace without Irondi and Smith on the floor at times, lacking the physicality offensively and defensively that these players provide. Enter Ruth O’Keefe ‘28 and Emma Afflerbach ‘27, who have both provided the Bears important minutes so far this season. The 5’11 O’Keefe and 6’2 Afflerbach have both given the team key minutes defensively, working hard to protect the paint. They’ve also been effective against the drive, holding their own against smaller guards and wings looking to attack them. Through the Bears’ newfound depth, they may only continue to grow.
It’s still early in the season, with a lot of challenges awaiting this Ursinus squad. But early signs point to an improved Bears squad, one the Centennial Conference will have to watch out for.