Michele Durand

By Gary Petit

ADA — Ohio Northern women’s basketball coach Michele Durand has been named the Russell Athletic/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division III Region Six Coach of the Year as voted upon by the head coaches in the region.

Durand guided the Polar Bears to a 19-7 overall record this season, the most wins since the 1987-88 season. Northern also finished second in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 14-4 mark, the best finish since 1987-88.

Pressure defense and solid shooting were two keys that Durand instilled on the to the Polar Bear program. This season, ONU held its opponents to 59.3 ppg, the lowest mark for an ONU team since 1987-88. The Lady Bears also shot the ball well, leading the OAC in 3-point and free throw percentage and was second in field goal percentage. The team set a school record for single-season free throw percentage at 76.5 percent and currently rank fourth in the country.

Durand has won 89 games in her seven seasons at ONU. On Dec. 22, at Earlham (Ind.), the Toledo native won her 200th game and now has 211 wins for her career.

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