The Baker University women’s basketball team has forfeited its 67-61 win against Culver-Stockton College in a game that was played Feb. 11.
In a statement released Tuesday on the forfeit, the Baker University Athletics Department said, “Baker University Athletics inadvertently made an error regarding NAIA rules. This error was made in good faith with no intent to circumvent the rules. As a department and institution that prides itself on being a Champions of Character Five Star institution since the inception of the program in 2000, Baker University believes in the core tenants of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. Upon discovery of the infraction, we immediately self-reported the violation to the NAIA. As a result the women’s basketball team was required to forfeit the victory over Culver-Stockton (College) on Saturday, February 11th. We do not plan to elaborate any further.”
Head coach Ben Lister declined to comment on the forfeit.
“I really can’t, other than the fact that it didn’t change much for us in perspective with the playoffs,” Lister said. “Our feeling was that we needed to win out to get in. We’re still mathematically in the race, even without that win. It was an unfortunate thing, but it’s something we’ve put behind us quickly and it didn’t change the dynamics for what we’ve needed to do to finish the season.”
Although Lister declined to comment, three members of the team confirmed the team was forced to forfeit the contest due to competing with a player who was academically ineligible, however they did not identify the player.
The result of the game in the records books has Culver-Stockton defeating Baker 2-0. Lister said that BU would not have to forfeit any other wins on its schedule.
The Wildcats are 6-22 overall and 4-12 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with two games remaining in the regular season.