Missouri State fires women's hoops coach

After 14-17 season

SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State University has fired women's basketball coach Nyla Milleson.

The Springfield News-Leader reported Milleson's dismissal was announced Monday. Milleson will be paid a buyout of $140,000.

Milleson's firing came after a 14-17 season that ended with a 15-point loss to Drake in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Lady Bears also finished the season with their lowest average attendance since the 1990-91 season.

Missouri State was once one of the top mid-major programs in the nation, but hasn't been ranked in the Top 25 since 2004 and hasn't gone to the NCAA Tournament since the 2005-06 season. Milleson took over for the 2007-08 season.

This year's team also struggled to replace five seniors who led the team to last season's MVC regular season championship.