DeLand, Fla. – The Stetson women's basketball team has been picked to finish third in the 2016-17 ASUN Conference preseason coaches poll, which was released on Thursday.

Senior guard Brianti Saunders (Hilliard, Fla.) was named ASUN Preseason Player of the Year, while senior forward Breana Bey (Jersey City, N.J.) joined Saunders on the preseason all-conference team.

Last season, Saunders led the league in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game. She started all 32 contests and scored in double figures 30 times, including a school-record 40-point performance against Georgia Southern.  She also had a 35-point outing against Lipscomb, giving her the top two scoring games in the ASUN last season.

A first team all-ASUN selection, Saunders shot 45.2 percent from the floor and 82.2 percent from the free throw line.  She also averaged 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and she was named the league's Player of the Week three times.

Bey, meanwhile, averaged 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Hatters in 2015-16. She was selected as one of three ASUN Newcomers of the Year and was a six-time ASUN Newcomer of the Week.  She played in all 32 games, making 28 starts, and led the ASUN in field goal pct. (.537).

The Hatters received 53 points in the coaches poll, trailing only Jacksonville (60 points) and FGCU (55). Following Stetson in the poll were North Florida (36), USC Upstate (33), Kennesaw State (23), Lipscomb (17), and NJIT (11).

Stetson was also picked third in the league's media poll.

The Hatters went 20-12 overall last season and advanced to the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitational.  It was the program's sixth straight 20+ win season and sixth straight postseason appearance.

Stetson will open the 2016-17 campaign on Nov. 11 at home vs. Webber International. Season tickets start at $75 and are on sale now. Call (386) 738-4287 or visit the Hatter Ticket Office web page to purchase season tickets today.

ASUN Preseason Poll
1. Jacksonville 60
2. FGCU 55
3. Stetson 53
4. North Florida 36
5. USC Upstate 33
6. Kennesaw State 23
7. Lipscomb 17
8. NJIT 11
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Brianti Saunders, Stetson
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kimberly Dawkins, Jacksonville
 
ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team
Brianti Saunders (Stetson)
Taylor Gradinjan (FGCU)
Christin Mercer (Jacksonville)
Sherranda Reddick (Jacksonville)
Kayla Gordon (Jacksonville)
Alana Dudley (NJIT)
Claire Ioannidis (North Florida)
Sierra Shepherd (North Florida)
Raven Jefferson (USC Upstate)
Breana Bey (Stetson)