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          Baylor senior Lauren Cox: 'Heartbroken is an understatement'

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          Cox steals and scores for Baylor (0:20)

          Lauren Cox picks off Christianna Carr's pass and takes it the other way for an easy layup in transition. (0:20)

          • ESPN.com staff
          Mar 16, 2020, 08:17 PM ET

          When Lauren Cox injured her knee and wasn't able to return to Baylor's national championship victory against Notre Dame last season, there were questions as to whether she'd be able to come back for her senior season. Fortunately for Cox and Baylor, the injury didn't require surgery, and she returned to play this season.

          Unfortunately for Cox and fellow senior Juicy Landrum, the Lady Bears didn't get the opportunity to repeat as national champions.

          The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of college winter-sports championships, including the men's and women's basketball tournaments, as well as most spring sports.

          Cox was honored as the Big 12 Player of the Year and also is a CoSIDA Academic All-America pick. She recently took to Instagram to express her disappointment at not being able to complete her senior season and to thank her coaches, fellow players and fans at Baylor.

          View this post on Instagram

          Heartbroken is an understatement... I've given everything I had to this team and program and this isn't how I wanted it to end, but I'm walking away with 4 Big 12 Championships and a National Championship. To my teammates, thank you for everything. Everyday you pushed me, loved me, made me laugh and helped me to be the best that I can be, I love y'all. To my coaches and the staff, thank you for making my dream of playing college basketball come true. I will continue to hang on to all of the guidance and advice that you have given me throughout these 4 years. To Baylor Nation, thank you for welcoming me with open arms and creating a home away from home. And to my family, thank you for the constant love, encouragement, critique, and support, I wouldn't be here without y'all.💚💛

          A post shared by Lauren Cox (@lauren_cox15) on

          Baylor's associate director of athletics communications, Kyle Robarts, said in a tweet that he was honored to work with both Cox and Landrum throughout their Baylor careers.

          Scott Van Pelt hosted a Twitter thread Friday night to celebrate those athletes with the send-offs they should have received. The Baylor women's basketball Twitter account also saluted the school's two seniors, posting a photo of Landrum and Cox together, saying, "Here's to you."