WLU’s Tingle Closing Out Spectacular Final Season
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WEST LIBERTY -- Audrey Tingle is putting the finishing touches on what has been an incredible final season of her college career.
It all culminated for the 5-6 graduate student when she broke the NCAA's Division II single-season record for triple-doubles Wednesday night in her final home game inside the ASRC on West Liberty's campus.
"It's definitely a bittersweet feeling, especially occurring on my home court for my last time. That definitely had a special impact for me," Tingle said the next day. "(Thursday) waking up, I just couldn't be more thankful for my teammates and my coaches and everyone who has allowed me to get into that position."
In a 112-78 win over Notre Dame (Ohio), Tingle scored 20 points, dished out 11 assists and pulled down 10 rebounds for her fifth triple-double of the season, a feat no Division II women's player has ever accomplished.
"It does take a lot of hard work," Tingle explained. "It's just putting in the extra work and extra time and letting that work reward you in the future. It's not about being selfish, it's about focusing on what you can do to contribute for the team. That's how I approach each game."
To break the record, Tingle did not spread her five triple-doubles out over the season. In fact, she's packed them all into the final two months. Her first was a 15-point, 10-assists, 12-rebound game against Concord on Jan. 5, then the next three came in a four-game span between Jan. 19 and 30. She had 11/10/12 against Alderson Broaddus, 11/10/15 against Davis & Elkins and 10/12/10 against West Virginia Wesleyan.
Included in that two-week period was a game against Fairmont State where she scored 22 points and had 14 rebounds and another against Wheeling when she scored 14 points and dished out 12 assists.
"It seemed like everything was clicking at the right time and the right moments," Tingle said. "It was a lot of fun, I was going out there not thinking about anything, not worrying and just having a good time."
During that blistering month in January, Tingle, a native of West Lafayette, Ohio, was named the MEC Player of the Week in three consecutive weeks, rightfully so.
"It took triple-doubles for people to realize Audrey's worth, which is just insane," said WLU coach Kyle Cooper. "Audrey's been an All-American her whole career. We've known that, but we also see her every day and know what her worth is."
Tingle has always posted strong numbers in her five-year career with the Hilltoppers, but this season she's turned it up a notch. Tingle is setting career-highs in points per game (13.9) and rebounds per game (10.4) this season and is decimal points away from her career-high in assists per game (7.0).
"She does check all the boxes," Cooper said. "She is an elite decision-maker, an elite communicator and an elite leader. When you take all of those, combined with talent and an unbelievable motor, it's a recipe for something really good."
Tingle's standout swan song has been possible because she elected to exercise the eligibility that was offered to all players because of the pandemic.
"I knew after the (2020-21) season, it wasn't finished for me," she said. "It just felt like there was more for me to do. This sport has brought so many opportunities for me that I just wanted to continue it. I'm really happy with my decision, I don't regret it at all. It was probably one of the easiest decisions I've made in my life."
"If we could find some way to get her a sixth and a seventh (year of eligibility) I'd be really interested in getting that done," Cooper joked.
This extra season has also helped Tingle gain a new perspective on the game of basketball. Tingle said she has gained more appreciation for each moment and is trying to squeeze more enjoyment out of the game.
"I've learned to not let the little things impact me as much," Tingle said. "(Earlier in my career) I was big on worrying and being on edge a lot but I've learned to just mellow out and just enjoy the moment. Not looking ahead or looking in the past but just focusing on the play in front of me."
Instead of worrying about the past or the future, Tingle said she's started to focus more on having fun during games and cherishing the time she has left with her teammates.
"That's really what it's all about. That's what matters the most, having the best time with your teammates and doing what you can to enjoy the moment with them.
"I think the experiences and opportunities that I've gotten so far (this season) have allowed me to appreciate it more that this is my final season."
The Hilltoppers (19-8, 14-7 MEC) have one regular-season game remaining this weekend against Wheeling and then will play in the MEC tournament starting on Wednesday. Unless WLU earns a bid to play in the national tournament, Tingle's college career will be over after that.
"I'm trying not to think about it," she said. "It did start to hit me after (Wednesday's game) but right now I'm just trying to live in the moment and focus on the goals ahead right now."
Even once her playing days are over, Tingle has no plans on relaxing, nor will she be away from basketball.
"I will finish my MBA in the summer and then I will begin a new master's program for speech pathology, which will be a two-year program," Tingle explained. "I'm hoping to go to a school where I can start into the coaching side of basketball as a (graduate assistant)."