The RoundHouse | 3/4/2019 10:42:00 PM

 
Wichita State basketball coach Keitha Adams sometimes tears a piece of paper off a notepad on her refrigerator to find the words "Breezy was here."
 
That also applies to Shocker women's basketball this season. Seniors Sabrina Lozada-Cabbage, who likes to leave her coach surprise notes, and Cesaria Ambrosio played two seasons for Adams and left their signatures on the program in transition.
 
On Monday, they played their typical roles in helping the Shockers defeat Tulsa 71-49 at Koch Arena in their final home game. They took their bows in the final seconds of the game, exiting to cheers from the crowd and hugs from teammates and coaches. After the game, they were honored at half-court. 
 
During the game, Lozada-Cabbage scored 13 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots. Ambrosio scored six points and handed out two assists. Most important to them, the Shockers recorded one of their best games of the season and didn't allow the lead below 10 points for the game's final 17 minutes.
 
"I just wanted to go out there and play for my teammates," Ambrosio said. "We played together and we won the game together."
 
Lozada-Cabbage, from Santa Fe, N.M., and Cesario Ambrosio, from Fully, Switzerland, did what they usually do. Lozada-Cabbage leads the team in rebounds and blocks and ranks second in scoring (8.8) and is tied with Ambrosio for second in assists. Ambrosio is an unselfish passer and defender who moves the ball and leads the Shockers with 32 steals.
 
Lozada-Cabbage expected a few more tears.
 
"I thought I was going to be really emotional," she said. "I'm surprised I didn't start crying. I just thought of it as another game. Probably, my teammates talked about it more than we did. It was a game we had to take care of first."
 
When the Shockers (12-17, 5-11 American Athletic Conference) pulled away in the second quarter, Lozada-Cabbage put her signature all over, making a three-pointer to take the lead for good and following that with a basket and a steal to extend the lead. Her steal led to a layup by Ambrosio. Ambrosio's steal led to two foul shots for teammate Seraphine Bastin and a 28-17 lead.
 
Early in the third quarter, Ambrosio's three gave the Shockers a 44-30 lead. Wichita State shot 46.4 percent from the field, its best in conference play, and 38.1 percent from three-point range Bastin led the Shockers with 19 points. Wichita State held Tulsa (12-17, 6-10) to 3-of-20 shooting from three-point range.
 
The seniors knew their role on an inexperienced team. They needed to set a good example by practicing and playing hard, buying in and staying upbeat during tough times.
 
Ambrosio was one of Adams' first recruits when hired at Wichita State in March 2017. 
 
"That was a priority," Adams said. "So, I'm always going to really appreciate Ces trusting me and coming here to Wichita State."
 
Lozada-Cabbage came to Wichita State to play for former coach Jody Adams. 
 
"I didn't recruit her, but through the transition she's helped in every way that I've ever asked," Keitha Adams said. "Her being supportive of me, I'm going to always appreciate that. Not everybody buys in."
 
Adams values the connections with her former players. She had one speak to the team before a recent road game at Temple. Before Monday's game, an assistant coach spoke about a Facebook post in which a former player described college athletics as the best times of her life.
 
The games and practices are a big part of that. So is finding goofy notes from Lozada-Cabbage weeks after a team dinner.
 
"I'm hoping that when I'm retired one day and sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair I'm getting some letters from (Lozada-Cabbage) telling me about what's happening in her life," Adams said. "My former players, staying connected to them, is something that's important to me and I want to do that with both these young ladies."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.