The women’s basketball team began the 2007-08 campaign clicking on all cylinders, winning their first three games of the year and securing first place in Gordon College’s season opening Tip-Off Tournament.

But after starting the season on a roll, PBU soon hit a wall as inconstant play mixed with offensive shooting woes quickly became major obstacles the Crimson Eagles would be forced to cope with the remainder of the year. In the face of offensive struggles, however, the Crimson Eagles effectively managed to shift gears and make their stamp on the defensive end.

Forced to rely their ability to guard the hoop, PBU soon began to make a formative impression defensively, ranking 12th in NCAA III in scoring defense by year’s end and limiting their opponent to 40 points or less on six different occasions. It was a trademark that would help propel PBU to fourteen triumphs on the season including eight victories over the opposition by 20 or more points.

Unfortunately a strong, cohesive defensive effort wouldn’t be enough to carry PBU into the NEAC playoffs as the team remained hampered by a somewhat unpredictable offense. Finishing seventh overall in the conference in terms of scoring output and sixth as a team in field goal percentage, the Crimson Eagles ended the year 5-11 within NEAC play and missed heading to the conference playoffs for the first time in school history by two spots. 

After embarking on the program’s longest losing streak in over five years following a five game skid, PBU got hot at the right time winning three straight outings in late February to help secure the team’s second NCCAA II East Region Title in three years. The Crimson Eagles cruised to a 75-35 victory over Valley Forge Christian College in the championship game giving the group an automatic berth into the NCCAA II National Tournament.

Entering the postseason as the number two seed, PBU’s hope for a national title quickly vanished as the Crimson Eagles were upset by seventh seeded Grace Bible in the first round, 75-69. A 1-1 mark over the final two consolation games helped the group finish seventh nationally and conclude the regular season with a 14-16 overall record.

Sophomore guard Dani Norton paved the way offensively for PBU by finishing third in the NEAC in scoring (16.6 ppg), first in free throw percentage (83.6 percent), second and three point percentage (36.6 percent), and first in three point field goals made (89). Norton picked up NEAC First Team, NCCAA II East Region First Team, and NCCAA II First Team All American honors for her efforts, becoming just the seventh women’s basketball player to be recognized as a First Team All-American in school history.

Joining Norton on the NCCAA East Region First team was second-year point guard Sarah Oessenich who led the NEAC in assists a game (5.5) to place her 17th overall in all of NCAA III. Junior guard Summer Mullen earned NCCAA II Second Team honors after finishing second on the team in scoring (9.5 ppg), first in steals (2.47 spg), and first in three point percentage (39.2 percent). Sophomore forward Lindsey Fornwalt generated Honorable Mention status by leading the NCCAA II East Region in field goal percentage (47.2 percent) while chipping in 6.3 points/game and 3.6 rebounds/game. Head Coach Drew Watson was tabbed Coach-of-the-Year in the East Region for the fifth time in his nine year career.