WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tears were flowing as Taylor Dunham and Hannah Fenske checked out of the game for possibly the final time in their careers.
There were six seconds remaining and American point guard Maria Liddane was shooting the clinching free throws. Navy head coach Stefanie Pemper made sure her standout seniors got one final curtain call by inserting a couple substitutes.
Pemper wrapped up the 5-foot-4 Dunham in an embrace that lasted several seconds with the 10th-year coach clearly trying to console her four-year standout. Fenske stood nearby, red-faced and teary-eyed while awaiting the same final hug from each member of the coaching staff.