The Truman State University’s Women’s Basketball team is on the rise this season, led by standout graduate transfer Jordan Cunningham. Cunningham has made an immense and immediate impact, leading the team in points, assists, blocks and minutes played. She ranks second on the team in steals and rebounds.
Her arrival spurs a turnaround from a dismal 2023-24 season where the Bulldogs went 7-21 overall and 4-18 in conference play. They won just three games at Pershing Arena and saw one of the program’s top scorers, Ellie Weltha, graduate.
Thanks to Cunningham, the Bulldogs are turning over a new leaf. They are 7-13 so far this season, with four of those wins in conference play and three at home. The Bulldogs have already matched the marks set last year in mid-January with over a month left to play. Truman is officially on the rebound and the transfer from Grimes, Iowa has everything to do with it.
Cunningham’s background and history of success gave head coach Theo Dean confidence she was going to have an immediate impact on the team.
“I knew she was coming in having a lot of experience, having played in big games,” Dean said. “I knew her experience would be huge for us. My first impression [was great] because of her IQ. Her IQ was extremely high on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. She’s extremely skilled, she’ll do whatever it takes to win, and she is a great leader.”
Before arriving in Kirksville, Cunningham logged four seasons at Missouri Western University. During her time in St. Joseph, she recorded 689 points, 297 rebounds and 92 steals. She helped the Griffons to four consecutive 24+ win seasons, a NCAA Central Region Championship and a MIAA championship.
Though she acknowledged her experience and seniority, Cunningham spoke more about her team and the new relationships she has built with the other girls.
“I do take pride that I’ve played this game for four years — going on five,” Cunningham said. “That experience piece is key, but the team makes it so easy. They’re so fun to be around. They’re great people and great teammates so it almost [feels] more like a friendship role than a leadership role. We hang out outside of practice … so it’s easy to click with them.”
The Bulldogs’ success this season has put them in a good position to compete for a chance at postseason action, something that the team hasn’t achieved since March of 2023. It would also be Cunningham’s last opportunity to reach the postseason, since she is now a graduate student.
“I just want us to play to our potential and play hard like we have [over the last couple games],” Cunningham said. “Obviously, every team wants to get to the GLVC tournament. I just want to enjoy my last year of college basketball.”
The women’s basketball team will continue their push for the postseason throughout the month of February and into early March. Cunningham and her fellow seniors will be honored on Senior Day before their game against William Jewell College.
Dean expressed thoughts about the season, citing the team’s potential and the possibilities that lie before them as drives to reach the ultimate goal.
“I’ve always told the players that they determine the ceiling,” Dean said. “You want to be playing your best basketball in February and March and I think we’re trending in that direction. We’re not there yet, but I also don’t want to see [the team] become complacent. There’s a better brand of Truman women’s basketball that’s available.”