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PHILADELPHIA–Holy Family women’s basketball head coach Mike McLaughlin is now the fastest coach in the history of NCAA women’s basketball to 400 career wins after the Tigers defeated the University of the Sciences 64-47 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) game Tuesday, February 3.
McLaughlin needed just 459 games (400-59) to take the top spot from former Louisiana Tech head coach Leon Barmore who took 463 games. The fastest to 400 wins in Division III is Nancy Fahey of the Washington (Missouri) with 464 games coached. McLaughlin also beat legendary Kentucky men’s basketball coach Adolph Rupp to the milestone. Rupp, the fastest to 400 wins in Division I men’s basketball, needed 477 games.
“I think to do it this fast is something that I’m proud of in my 14 years at Holy Family,” said McLaughlin. “It’s taken a lot of consistency to get here. I realized that and I take a lot of pride in that for the program and I told the girls that. They happened to be here, but there were a lot of players before them and I wanted the team to understand that everyone is a part of this.”
It took McLaughlin 118 games to reach the century mark (100-18). The Tigers got McLaughlin reached the 200 win milestone 117 games later (200-35). His 300th career win came in 114 games (300-49). He completed his most recent 100 wins in just 110 contests.
“I think that it’s unbelievable to see his last two achievements,” said forward Melissa Brooks. “It means so much more now than it did as a freshman because I see what it means to the program.”
In each of his first 13 seasons, McLaughlin has led the Tigers to 25 or more wins, including six 30-plus win seasons, and a postseason appearance. His winning percent of .871 is the highest in all of NCAA basketball.
“From my freshman year to now, I have seen how much hard work has gone into this and makes us work that much harder for our coaches because they deserve it,” said guard Lauren Boyer. “He has done so much for this program and it’s incredible to witness.”
“It’s really exciting to get me a chance to see how great a coach he really is,” said forward Jordan Gercke, who walked-on last season after playing against McLaughlin as a freshman at Georgian Court. “I knew great and successful he was. It’s great to come from other program and be able to be a part of this.”
In a style similar to McLaughlin’s first 399 wins, tonight, the Tigers made their defense stand-out. Holy Family scored 25 of its points on 22 USP turnovers. The Tigers also won the rebounding battle, 35-26, including a 19-3 advantage on the offensive glass. This is the 11th time in the last 13 games that the Tigers have held an opponent under 50 points.
“I think the biggest thing is Mike’s everyday preparation regardless of the situation, it’s always the same,” said Mike Moran, Tigers assistant coach who has been with McLaughlin since he became the head coach in 1995. “His message and preparation and commitment to do things the right way have made him and this program so successful.”
Center Christine McCollum tied her season-high of 20 points in the victory. Point guard Lauren Peters poured in 15 points and dished out a career-best six assists. Brooks contributed 15 points.
Holy Family is now 19-4 overall and 12-0 in the CACC. The Tigers have secured a spot in the CACC Championship tournament with the win. Holy Family extends its CACC winning streak to 59 games.
USP (9-9, 6-4 CACC) was led by forward Allison Weiss’ 15 points and seven rebounds.
(Source Holy Family) | 
