The transition to the NAIA level is going smoothly for former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray.
After spending one year at Missouri Western, Murray returned home and has helped the Grand View women’s team to an 11-1 start this season, including an 8-1 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 5-foot-8 sophomore guard scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Vikings to an 80-56 win over visiting Central Methodist on Saturday at Sisam Arena in Des Moines.
“We’re off to a pretty good start,” said Murray. “We dropped one to Benedictine a couple of weeks ago, but other than that we’re moving right along. It’s awesome.”
Murray has started all 12 games and leads Grand View with 27 3-point goals, shooting 35.5 percent from behind the arc. She ranks second on the team in scoring (16.6), rebounding (5.3) and minutes played (31.8).
Murray poured in a career-high 25 points in the Vikings’ 75-60 victory over Baker on Nov. 18.
“It’s been a good switch for me basketball-wise,” Murray said. “It’s pretty much the same speed–the same kind of game. There are good players at all levels. It’s just been a good change for me.”
As a freshman at Missouri Western, Murray helped the Griffons to a 24-7 mark. She played in 28 of the 31 games with one start.
Murray averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 16.6 minutes of action per game. She placed second on the team with 32 3-pointers, but decided to leave the program after the season.
“There was a bit of culture issues down there. It was just not the place for me,” Murray said. “I made the decision to come home, and I think it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve made because I do enjoy being close to my family. It’s nice being able to run home for dinner anytime I want.”
On the court, Murray has made an immediate impact for the Vikings. She scored 17 points in the season opener against Tabor and averaged 19.0 points over the first seven games.
“Honestly, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Murray said. “Coming to a new team with new people, you just don’t know the whole dynamic coming to something new. But I think the group of girls has really accepted me and just brought me right along. I’ve settled into my role, and I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team.”
Murray has made at least one trey in every game. She went 4-of-9 from 3-point range in a win at Culver-Stockton on Dec. 9, then went 4-of-7 from deep on Saturday, when the Vikings launched 34 of their 62 shots from behind the arc.
“Our offense has gotten a little more perimeter-oriented,” Murray said. “We’ve had some injuries with our post players and moved around lineups a lot so far this year, so we’ve switched the offense as the lineups have changed.”
All but two of Grand View’s players are from Iowa. Sophomore guard Anna Gossling of Johnston, who had many battles against Murray during high school, averages 12.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Vikings.
“I love Anna. She’s my roommate too, so we spend a lot of time together,” Murray said. “It’s been good to get back on the court playing with her now instead of against her. I’m really enjoying it.”
Grand View will now be off until Dec. 29, when the Vikings host Roosevelt University in their final non-conference game. It’ll be another opportunity for Murray’s family to watch her play–something that they couldn’t do very often last year.
“It’s super awesome that they can all make it to my games now,” Murray said.
