File Photo

Shawnee State women’s basketball coach Robin Hagen-Smith walks in front of her bench during an NAIA Tournament game.

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Cody Leist

PDT Sports Writer

A six-game hiatus from the Shawnee State women’s basketball program was enough for head coach Robin Hagen-Smith.

Hagen-Smith, who announced her leave of absence from the team for personal reasons a day after the Jan. 24 home game with Georgetown College, returned to normal duties Monday as coach of the Bears basketball team. During her leave, SSU was on a five-game winning streak before it was snapped Saturday in a 62-50 setback at the University of the Cumberlands.

During her absence, assistant coach Jeff Nickel assumed head coaching duties during an interim basis.

“We’re happy to have Robin back on the court and want to thank Jeff for the tremendous job that he has done with our team over the past few weeks,” Shawnee State athletic director and men’s basketball coach Jeff Hamilton said in a release sent Monday afternoon.

The Bears, who are 20-7 overall and 11-6 in Mid-South Conference action, play their final two home games this week, starting with Thursday’s conference game with Virginia-Wise. Saturday’s home finale will take place against Pikeville before the regular season ends next Monday at Rio Grande.

Assistant coach Gregg Smith, who is Hagen-Smith’s husband, was not mentioned in the release on the status of his return. Hagen-Smith nor Nickel were cited for comment in the release submitted by the university.

Cody Leist can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 294, or cleist@civitasmedia.com.