Davidson WCBB Team Cancels Rest of Season Because of Injuries; Were Down to 7 Players

Davidson announced Friday it has canceled the rest of its women's basketball season "due to a significant number of injuries" across the roster.

"The physical, mental and emotional toll of this unfortunate and injury-riddled season has brought us to this point," athletic director Chris Clunie said. "We are incredibly saddened that we cannot finish out the season strong but feel this is the best decision for our scholar-athletes."

The Wildcats had only seven players see the floor in Wednesday's 45-40 loss to George Washington. Freshman forward Eliza Buerk was the only player who logged fewer than 25 minutes.

Before taking the court against the Revolutionaries, Davidson forfeited games against Dayton and Fordham because of "non-COVID health and safety protocols."

The team sported an 11-1 record before it pivoted to its full Atlantic 10 conference slate, the lone loss coming to then-No. 16 North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Then the Wildcats' injuries began taking their toll.

Fifth-year senior guard Suzi-Rose Deegan and redshirt senior forward Elle Sutphin are their top two leading scorers. Deegan hasn't played since mid-January, and Sutphin was likewise limited to 15 games. Sophomore guard Charlise Dunn, whose 29.9 minutes per game were the most on the team, announced on Feb. 13 she had torn her ACL.

"The injuries we have sustained this season have weighed heavily on our entire program, head coach Gayle Fulks said. "This decision is not one that we are taking lightly, as no one wanted it to end this way. Our team of young women is the strongest, most caring, and most competitive team I have ever been a part of. They have been an absolute JOY to coach, every single day.

"Despite the challenging nature of the way this season has unfolded, our team never wavered and competed to the very end. I am confident there is no team in the country that would have handled the hardship we faced with as much grace, strength, and adaptability as our young women did. I am so proud of them."

Davidson only had one game left in the regular season. By forfeiting the rest of the season, the Wildcats will no longer be eligible to compete in the A-10 conference tournament.