Miami (OH) women’s basketball defeated Toledo in Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament Championship game Saturday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, but a big piece of the game was the performance by Toledo guard Patricia Anumgba.
The guard finished the championship game as the team’s leader in points, assists, rebounds and steals, putting up a final stat line of 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in an all-around performance in the loss.
It was not just her performance on the court but her leadership for the team off the court that she provided in the game and her lone season with the Rockets
“We thought Patricia would be that missing link of the leadership around them, and she certainty was,” head coach Ginny Boggess said.
While the team will miss the leadership that she brought next season, what she helped teach the players this year cannot be overlooked.
“Patricia led by example, we certainly are going to do some skill building in that area over the summer like any other skill,” Boggess said.
Boggess had plenty of high praise for the Patricia for her time at Toledo.
“Patricia and I knew each other. She knew how I coached, that we were going to help develop her as an individual player and as a champion, collectively in our group and where she would fit in,” Boggess said. “I want you to leave Toledo better than you found it, and she certainly did, and that’s me and our staff included.
Although she only played one season with the Rockets, her impact will be felt by every player who played with her this season.
“I don’t want to speak for my teammates, but I know I’m sure they felt the same way as me, but we wanted it for Patricia,” Ella Weaver said about winning the championship.
Although Anumgba has played her last game for the Rockets, she will forever value her time at Toledo.
“If you ask me, if I could do it again in the recruiting process and take somewhere else to go, I’d still choose Toledo over and over again,” Anumgba said. “I’m the only senior leaving, so, that’s just what was going through my head. I’m going to miss them so much.”
