Bolivar, Mo. - The yellow school buses lined up outside the Meyer Wellness Center Thursday morning, their doors swinging open as wave after wave of excited students from Bolivar schools poured out. It was Kids Day at the SBU Bearcats women's basketball game, and more than 700 kids filled the stands with laughter and boundless energy.

"Kids are so unique! They have a pure passion, love, and joy for the simple things, it becomes a refresher to us all. Having kids day is a special opportunity that brings immeasurable excitement to the building." Head Coach Wyketha Harrell said.

As the Bearcats warmed up on the court, the gym buzzed louder than usual as "SBU" chants could be heard throughout the building. Between quarters, the kids were invited onto the court for games that quickly became the highlight of the day. Kids raced across the floor in relay races, shoes squeaking as classmates cheered them on. Paper airplanes soared through the air in a tossing contest, some gliding smoothly while others nosedived to peals of laughter.

Then the familiar opening notes of the "YMCA" echoed through the arena. Instantly, hundreds of arms shot into the air, forming letters as the kids danced along in unison. During halftime numerous kids joined Berry the Bearcat on the court dancing to the Cha-Cha Slide.

When the game tipped off again, the crowd's energy only grew. Every basket by the SBU Bearcats was met with thunderous applause, and the kids proudly waved their arms and shouted encouragement. The Bearcats played with confidence and teamwork, pulling away early and never looking back. By the final buzzer, the scoreboard read 88–51, a convincing victory over Mission University.

As the students boarded their buses to head back to school, voices were hoarse from cheering and faces were glowing with excitement. For many of the kids, it wasn't just a field trip—it was their first college basketball game, filled with unforgettable moments. Kids Day at the SBU Bearcats game had turned an ordinary school day into a memory that would be talked about long after the final score was forgotten.

"I love that we are able to provide a space where they can have a good time and enjoy the game. I am so appreciative to the fact that our student athletes get to experience how much of what they do has an impact on younger people. I'm so grateful to all of those who made this happen and look forward to it growing in the future!" -Harrell Said.

Five different Bearcats recorded double-digit scoring with junior Eviyon Richardson leading with 15. Reagen Wells followed closely behind with 14, then Tinu Fakunle (12), Ida Lusadisu N'Gonda (11), and Kamiyah Hurd (10) followed. Hurd recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds.  

Heading into the break with momentum of a 4-6 record, the Bearcats take two weeks off before returning to conference action in the new year. They will start by traveling to Rockhurst University on January 4^th with a tip off time of 1:00 p.m.