One of the great clutch performers in Midwestern State women’s basketball history is returning to D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
MSU Texas coach Christopher Reay announced the addition of Dianna Jones as the Mustangs’ top assistant.
“Dianna is the prefect representation of Midwestern State Women’s Basketball,” he said. “Her time as a player for us was invaluable. She was a leader in more ways than one. Then she expanded her knowledge taking her game overseas and also into the coaching realm.”
The graduate of Midway High in Waco played a key role in the Mustangs’ magical run to the NCAA Division II South Central Region final in 2013.
The sophomore guard garnered Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament MVP honors after averaging 18.6 points helping the Mustangs seal both the regular season and tournament titles for the first time in 12 years.
Jones was vital in the title game tilt against rival West Texas A&M. She scored 11 of MSU’s final 13 points as the Mustangs overcame a 10-point halftime deficit but needed a jumper and a pair of free throws to overtake WT’s four-point edge with 2:28 to play in regulation to force overtime.
In the extra frame, Jones buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to tie the game with 17 seconds to play. After a Lady Buff turnover, she drove down the center of the lane to beat the buzzer with a runner for the game winner.
Midwestern State claimed double-digit victories over Tarleton State and MSU Denver in the opening rounds of the South Central Regional before falling to host Colorado Mesa in the regional championship game to close the season with a 26-6 mark.
The Mustangs returned to the postseason the next two seasons with Jones leading the charge from the point guard.
Jones earned LSC Freshman of the Year honors in 2012 before gaining All-LSC honorable mention before capping her career gaining first-team accolades as a senior in 2014-15 averaging 12.7 points and four assists per game.
Jones, who was a member of Midway High’s 2009 Class 4A state title squad, served as an assistant coach at Temple College last season helping the Leopards to a 19-11 record.
Prior to starting her coaching career, Jones played overseas in Egypt, Mexico and El Salvador. She also spent one season as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State.
“I am very excited to have Dianna work with the guards have her share her knowledge,” Reay said. “She will be a mentor to all of our players both on and off the court. We are truly blessed to have her return to the program.”
Midwestern State returns two starters and 10 letter winners off of last season’s 11-16 squad which advanced to the LSC Postseason Tournament quarterfinals.
https://msumustangs.com/news/2020/8/4/jones-hired-as-womens-basketball-assistant-coach.aspx
Tagged with: D2 Lone Star Conference
