Women's Basketball 7/15/2019 2:55:00 PM

Transfers To Join Truman Women's Basketball; Softball

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Brioenne Burns and Ellie Weltha will join the Truman Women's Basketball team as transfers for the upcoming 2019-20 season while Weltha will also join the Truman Softball team for their 2020 campaign.

Burns is a 5-10 guard from Independence, Missouri and comes to Truman from Stephen F. Austin State University while Weltha is a 5-10 forward from Bloomington, Illinois and Illinois State University.

"We are extremely excited to have Bri and Ellie join our Bulldog family," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Amy Eagan. "With the graduation of some experienced players, it will be great hving two players join us that know that it takes at that next level." They both value family and hard work and are going to be great additions to our program."

Burns played 41 games over two seasons at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. Burns averaged just over 2.5 points per game with 20 of her 35 made baskets coming from beyond the arc. She dished out 26 assists and had 21 steals. She hit double-figures with 11 points in the Lumberjackets rout over McNeese State on Valentine's day with 4-of-5 shooting with makes on all three, three-point attempts. Stephen F. Austin posted a 25-7 overall record last season

Burns played high school ball at William Chrisman and was a first team all-conference and three-time all-district selection. She averaged 43% in outside shooting.

"Bri is a long, athletic guard that can stretch the floor with her ability to shoot the three," said Eagan.

Weltha will be a member of both the basketball and softball teams at Truman. She was a highly decorated four-sport athlete out of Bloomington High School in Bloomington, Illinois before attending and playing softball at Illinois State this past spring. On the diamond, she started 42 of 46 games as a freshman with five home runs and 27 runs batted in.

Her basketball accolades at Bloomington include a three time first-team all-conference and all-area selection, member of the 1,000 point club with a program record 1,644 points scored and 1,118 career rebounds. She was the career blocks leader with 224 and added 336 assists and 500 steals. She was an honorable mention Illinois Class 4 all-state performer.

"Ellie is a strong, athletic post this is going to be a mismatch for a lot of opponents in our system," said Eagan.

In high school softball, Weltha earned all-state honors in both her junior and senior seasons and was a unanimous all-conference selection. She was the Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the year twice and won state championships in the USSSA and ASA. She hit a school record 43 career home runs.

"We are excited for Ellie to join both programs at Truman," said Head Softball Coach Amanda Bradberry. "She has had success at every level she had competed at and is versatile in the positions she can play. Her work ethic and passion were evident when she was on campus and I know that will help us continue to move our culture and program forward."

Weltha played volleyball her senior season and earned unanimous all-Big 12 league honors. She was the Bloomington High School Female Athlete of the Year four times and was also a major contributor to the school's Track & Field team.

The duo will join fall signees Hannah Belanger, Nicole Dorn, Hannah Pinkston, Kennedy Wallace and Alex Wiese to the 2019-20 team.

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