Lady Tiger basketball players sign with MIAA schools

Starring as teammates on the Cowley College women's basketball team, sophomores Elysa Martinez and Hattie Pyle will now face each other as competitors after signing letters of intent to continue playing basketball in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Martinez signed with NCAA Division II University of Central Missouri, which finished last season with a record of 17-15 overall and 8-11 in the MIAA. Pyle signed with NCAA Division II Missouri Southern University, which finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 19-14 overall and was 10-9 in the MIAA.

The duo helped Cowley win 21 games during the 2024-25 season.

A transfer from Howard College (TX), Martinez averaged a team-high 17.3 points to go along with 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 steals per game at Cowley as she was named the Jayhawk Conference Newcomer of the Year.

"She made a huge impact on the school, and I am excited about the fit with her and Central Missouri," Clark said. 

Martinez was joined on the list of First Team all-conference selections by Lady Tiger sophomore Hattie Pyle, who averaged 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.

Pyle made huge strides as a sophomore, nearly doubling her shooting percentage from three-point range.

"Hattie broke her hand in the fall semester, yet fought through it and came back to have a tremendous season," Clark said. "I am happy for her to get this opportunity."