From the passing of coach Steve Hodson to the euphoria of winning the program's first triple-overtime game, both Pascucci and Sears have rolled with the changes and taken to their roles as leaders of the T-Birds.

"It's been very different, but it's a very good different," said Sears, who is averaging 8.4 points per game. "It's been fun and exciting to re-learn things, and it's been a different atmosphere."

"It's been full of adjustments," added Pascucci," who has nearly identical averages of 9.5 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. "It's taken some time to adjust to all the new things being put in."

While a new season is in full swing, it's been a definite contrast in attitude and approach, especially after the team mourned the loss of Hodson, who passed away last November, just before the season opener.

"When it first happened, you wanted to continue coming because of where he was," Sears said. "As the season went on and you were able to think about it, it got harder and harder. You had to push it back as far as you could until the season was over."

Even though the T-Birds currently have a 3-10 record under new head coach J.R. Payne, Sears said once the team broke through for its first win, a 56-53 home victory over Ohio on Dec. 1, it started the upswing in confidence.

"It feels so much better to win," she said. "Your confidence level and perspective changes."

Sears suffered an injured ankle against UNLV and missed the next four games.

Sears was able to return in time to pour in a career-best 25 points in of the more memorable games the T-Birds have had in the program's history. It was their most recent victory, a 94-92 thriller in triple overtime over Utah Valley on Dec. 12.

With the rest of this season and their senior seasons still to come, both Pascucci and Sears aren't quite ready to put the game on too high of a pedestal in their mental scrapbooks just yet.

"It was a good game," Sears said. "It shouldn't have gone as long as it did, but it did and it was fun.

"It was long, but it was worth it because we pulled out the win. I'm not sure where it will be because I haven't finished my career yet."

Payne added that Sears' leadership has been a valuable asset for the T-Birds.

"Caitlyn leads by example. She's our hardest worker, most vocal player and best leader," Payne said. "She doesn't necessarily want to be a vocal leader or get on anybody, but she's the type who lays her heart on the floor every day."

Pascucci's stats have also spoken loudly for the T-Birds' coach, especially on the boards.

"Challis has had a tremendous year statistically," Payne said. "A lot of times, rebounding isn't about being able to jump, but good timing. Challis certainly has that.

"We need both (Caitlyn and Challis) to continue to be the forces they have been."

Pascucci had a season best of 15 rebounds in the win over Utah Valley, and she has had double-figure efforts in seven of the T-Birds' 13 games.