Coach Basler		Michael Basler Head Women's Basketball Coach Asst. Athletic Director baslerm@stmary.edu 913-758-4339

Coach Basler, a Kansas City, Kansas native, is a graduate of Washington High School where he earned multiple varsity letters in both basketball and baseball. After high school graduation, Basler attended Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan. on an athletic scholarship for baseball. Basler graduated from Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History & Secondary Education in the spring of 1996. In May of 2004, Basler graduated from Central Michigan University with a Masters of Arts Degree in Education & Coaching. From 1996 to 2004 Basler work at Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) as an assistant baseball coach (1996-2002) and the assistant women's basketball coach (1999-2004). While at KCKCC, Basler was the position coach for post-players, and coached an All Kansas Jayhawk Conference player in each of his five seasons there.

Basler accepted the head coaching job at the University of Saint Mary in August of 2004. 

Since arriving at the USM, Basler has taken the women's basketball program to new heights.  Since 2004, the team has had a host of individual honors, including two All KCAC Selections in Amber Seevers 2004-05 & Janae Garcia 2006-07, four Daktronics-NAIA Division II Women's Basketball All-American Scholar Athletes, Molly Dumovich 2005-06 & Liz Gillespie 2006-07& 2007-08 and Addie Heim 2007-08. Victoria Hodges set a single season record for assists (152), steals (75) in 2005-06 and Janae Garcia set the single season rebounding record (264) in 2006-07and Lacy Leonard 2007-08 set a single season records in scoring (484) and 3-pt FG percentage (.412).

The Lady Spires finished the 2004-05 season with three NAIA Division II Team Rankings, 12th in defensive rebounds 28.6, 23rd in total rebounds 41.8, 23rd in rebounding margin 5.1, and one NAIA Division II Individual Ranking, Amber Seevers- 44th in defensive rebounds 5.4. 

In 2005-06, the Lady Spires ended the season with four NAIA Division II Individual Rankings including Victoria Hodges, who finished ninth in assists, averaging 5.2 per game & 43rd in steals, averaging 2.6. Jamie Mireles finished 26th in free throw percentage at 82-percent, and Dara Shea finsihed 50th in defensive rebounds, averaging 5.3 per game.

In 2006-07 season with four NAIA Division II Team Rankings.  The team was 10th in offensive rebounds averaging 15.44, 20th in total rebounds, averaging 41.7, and 38th in rebounding margin at 3.6.   The Lady Spires had three NAIA Division II Individual Rankings for the 2006-07 season, including Janae Garcia, who finished 12th offensive rebounds, 16th in total rebounds, and 49th in defensive rebounds. The 2006-07 team was also selected by the NAIA as an Academic All American Scholar Team, with a cumulative team GPA of 3.216. The Spires were one of two teams from the KCAC to receive this award.

The Lady Spires finished the 2007-08 season with five NAIA Division II Team Rankings.  The team was 33rd in total reboundd defense, 33rd in total rebound margin, 35th in 3-pt FG percentage, 38th in 3-pt FG defense and 48th in scoring defense. The Lady Spires had three NAIA Division II Individual Rankings for the 2007-08 season, including , senior Liz Gillespie who finished the season ranked 43rd in 3-pt FG percentage. The 2007-08 team was also selected by the NAIA as an Academic All American Scholar Team, with a cumulative team GPA of 3.246. The Spires were one of two teams from the KCAC to receive this award.

Basler resides in Lansing, Kansas with his wife Tresia, their 7-year-old daughter Bradi, and their 5-year-old son Peyton.

		Samantha Ciani (913) 758 4393 ciani41@stmary.edu

Coach Samantha Ciani is a 2010 graduate of the University of Saint Mary and currently earning her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of Saint Mary. While at Saint Mary, Ciani was a three year member and starter of the women’s basketball team. As a center for the squad, she was a First Team All-Conference Player in the 2009-2010 season. In 2010-2011 as co-captain, Ciani led the conference in Double Doubles and Rebounds, earning honorable mention for the season. Originally from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and the daughter of Carl and Laurie Ciani.

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