GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: Nov. 6, 2023
TIME: 6:00 PM |
LOCATION:
Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse
New Orleans, LA
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GAME DAY LINK
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LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
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THE LEAD
Following a season in which the Hatters went 13-20 and 6-12 in conference play, Stetson will open their 2023-24 season on the road as they head to New Orleans for the season-opener against the Tulane Green Wave. Tip-off is schedule for 6:00 PM at the Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Stetson and Tulane have only met once before in both of their storied histories. The two met back on December 18, 1985 when Tulane defeated the Hatters by the score of 70-69.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (0-0, 0-0 ASUN)
After a spirited season that culminated in a playoff victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins but concluded with a loss to FGCU in the quarterfinals, the Stetson women's basketball team is gearing up for a new chapter. Returning to the Edmunds Center with a refreshed roster, the Hatters look to expand upon last season's campaign, armed with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising new talents.
Eight familiar faces grace this year's lineup, including Khayma McNeal, a pivotal figure in the team's dynamics. McNeal's star power is evident as she earned a spot on the All-ASUN preseason team. Her instrumental role in the prior season saw her leading the Hatters with an average of 10.9 points per game across 33 appearances, 11 of which she started. Beyond being a scoring force, McNeal established herself as the team's sharpshooter with 109 made three-pointers. Additionally, she displayed versatility by leading the squad with 62 assists, ranking 20th in the conference. McNeal's prowess extends to the boards, being one of four returning Hatters with over 100 rebounds from the previous season.
Another cornerstone in the Hatters' lineup is Jaelyn Talley, who demonstrated her mettle by starting in 31 of 33 games last season. Talley's commanding presence under the boards was undeniable, securing a team-leading 177 rebounds, 73 of which were on the offensive end. Her shooting efficiency was commendable, boasting a solid .475 shooting percentage. Talley's rebounding prowess positioned her at 14th in the conference and most on the team.
Stetson returns with key defenders in Kiya Turner, who showcased her agility by leading the team with 53 steals, and Skylar Treadwell, a force in the paint with a team-high 13 blocks. Turner's standout performance included a season-high six steals against Winthrop, while Treadwell's shot-blocking ability was evident in multiple games, notably in last season's opener against Flagler.
Adding depth and dynamism to the squad, Stetson welcomes seven new players, including Tyra Myers and Quentarra Mitchell, both transfers bringing valuable experience and skill. Myers arrives after averaging an 11.5 points for St. Francis (NY) in the previous season.
Jamiya Turner and Jordan Peete, also returning from last year's squad, flashed scoring ability last year, contributing significantly to the Hatters offense.
Last season's statistics reflected the team's resilience, averaging 59.4 points per game while maintaining a shooting accuracy of 39.4% from the field and 26.5% from beyond the arc.
SCOUTING THE GREEN WAVE (0-0, 0-0 AMERICAN)
The Tulane women's basketball team concluded the previous season with an 18-14 record, finishing 7-9 in the American Conference. Their performance secured a notable victory over Cincinnati in the American Conference Tournament, and a spot in the NIT tournament.
While their away record stood at 5-6, the team showed strength on their home court, boasting an 11-6 record. Projections for the upcoming season, as per the 2023-24 American Preseason Coaches Poll, placed them at a predicted 6th position with 110 points.
In terms of their playing style, Tulane averaged 66.4 points per game, ranking fourth in their conference, while holding opponents to an average of 60.5 points. Their shooting accuracy stood at 41.8%, with 213 shots from beyond the arc. The team showcased solid rebounding, averaging 39 rebounds per game, exceeding opponents by an average of 2.9 rebounds, and totaled 468 assists.
On the offensive front, the team relied on key players like Dynah Jones, who led the team with an average of 12.6 points in 32 starts, while Marta Golic and Kyren Whittington both contributed an average of 11.9 points per game. Golic stood out with 74 three-pointers and led in rebounding with 6.7 boards per game, while Whittington was a strong defensive asset, recording 56 steals.
Defensively, Anijah Grant made a significant impact, averaging 5.6 rebounds per game and tallying 33 blocks, positioning her as the 10th most prolific shot-blocker in the American Conference.
At the helm of the team is Lisa Stockton, an experienced and accomplished coach who boasts a lengthy tenure as the head of the Green Wave's women's basketball program.
NEXT UP
Stetson will continue their three-game road trip to begin the season as they return to the Sunshine State to face off with the Bulls of USF at the Yuengling Center in Tampa on Friday, Nov. 10 at 4:00 PM. All the action will be on ESPN+ with live stats on gousfbulls.com
