Get to Know Your Seniors: Bree Alford  
 
Senior Bree Alford is among few Lions who have had more than 90 starts in her four years at LMU. Alford has led the team and the conference in rebounds all season long and has tallied up 956 over her career, making her LMU's ALL-TIME Rebounder.  Alford also leads the conference in double-doubles, as she has six on the season. 
 
Through LMU basketball, the Walnut Creek, Calif. native was able to visit places like Paris, Amsterdam, Normandy, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, which were some of her favorite memories as a Lion. 
 
"Being able to go snorkeling and paddle boarding with my teammates is something I will never forget," said Alford. "Also, on the academic side I was able to visit Japan during the summer."
 
Alford has come a long way since her freshman season, as she came to LMU being very shy and had a hard time talking to anyone. "Seeing how much I've matured and grown makes me really happy," said Alford." And of course, I'm also very proud on being the all-time leading rebounder at LMU." 
 
The senior has many accomplishments on and off of the court, but she has had to deal with overcoming her biggest obstacle; injuries. "Having multiple knee surgeries and a foot surgery last year were major obstacles, but it fed my determination. Being in physical therapy for the last 5 years has taught me a lot about working through adversity," said Alford. 
 
Through all of her injuries and accomplishments, the senior says God has been her biggest inspiration. "Through all the challenges that I was given, he made me believe I can get through anything. And then for him to bless me with having incredible people who have inspired me to be the best me throughout my journey in college is something I'm so thankful for," said Alford. 
 
Alford has also been inspired by her physical therapists, trainers, coaches, teammates, academic advisors and most importantly, her No. 1 support system; her family. "Without them I wouldn't be who and where I am today," said Alford. 
 
Alford will graduate with a Master's Degree in educational studies and plans on attending Pro Combine camps. "If it's in God's will, hopefully I will get signed to an overseas professional team," said Alford.
 
After she is done playing basketball, Alford would like to become a college basketball coach and then become a sports psychologist. 
 
"I'm definitely going to miss my teammates," said Alford. "Having to be with each other 24/7 doing the same thing we love, being weird and goofy and just being able to make each other laugh through all the highs and lows is something I'm always going to cherish. I'm also going to miss just being a part of the Athletic Community and representing LMU and what it stands for academically and athletically." 
 
"Bree will leave LMU as the leader in career rebounds standing at a whooping 6'0 tall," said head coach Charity Elliott. "Her knack for finding the ball is a gift and she's had it for as long as I can remember.  She has grown so much as a player and person during her time at LMU and I'm so proud of her.  She is one of the toughest players I've ever coached and her dedication to improve her skill set has paid off tremendously on the floor for this team.  She also leaves LMU with two degrees and a lifetime of memories and buzzer beaters."
 
Alford will be honored with the rest of the team's seniors during Saturday's game against Pacific at 2 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion.