Game notes | Season Outlook
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team opens its 2009-10 season Friday at 2 p.m. (CDT) when it takes on Western Oregon University in the first round of the Disney Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, California. USI also plays San Francisco State University Saturday at 7 p.m. and Fort Lewis College Sunday at 1 p.m. (CST).
All three games can be listened to on WPSR 90.7 FM and via the web at www.820theedge.com.
This marks the Screaming Eagles first trip to the Disney Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic, a tournament that began two years ago. USI has competed in the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic in Orlando three times.
The Eagles, who were 14-13 overall and 6-11 in the GLVC a year ago, return four starters from last season's squad, including third-team All-GLVC performer Ellen Young and two-year starting point guard Amie Newhart.
Young led the Eagles with 13.1 points per year last season, while Newhart was second on the team with 11.8 points per contest.
USI, which was picked fourth in the GLVC East Division, returns 73.8 percent of its offense from last season's squad. Junior guard Lauren Meneghetti and sophomore guard Rinesha Soaper each averaged 9.1 points per appearance, while senior guard/forward Abby Williams added 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per outing.
Williams, along with senior forward Anaris Sickles, will be counted on to fill the void left by the graduation of Brittany Neuman and Ninette Evans. Williams is USI's top returning rebounder, while Sickles transferred from the University of Evansville where she helped lead the team to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship in 2009.
Western Oregon opens its season after posting an 8-19 record in 2008-09. The Wolves return four starters from last season, including its leading scorer and rebounder in senior forward Katie Torland. Torland averaged 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest a year ago.
San Francisco State, which plays Fort Lewis Friday, returns three starters from a squad that was 14-14 a year ago. Senior forward ZaLisha Oliver is the Gator's top returning scorer after averaging 8.0 points per game in 2008-09, while senior forward Donisha Tate led the team with 7.3 rebounds per contest last year.
Fort Lewis, which is ranked eighth in the Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 poll, returns four starters from a squad that went 28-4 last year. Senior post player Allison Rosel is the Skyhawks' top returner after averaging a team-best 14.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest last season.
This weekend's contests mark the first-ever meetings between USI and any of its three opponents. It also marks the first time that USI has played a regular season contest in October and the second time the Eagles have played in California.
Following this weekend's contests, the Eagles visit Indiana State University November 8 for an exhibition before traveling to Detroit, Michigan, November 15 to take on regional foe Wayne State University.
