PINE BLUFF, AR - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team is set to open their 2021-2022 campaign at home against McNeese State on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
The contest will be the third meeting between the two teams, whereas both hold a win against each other.
Head Coach Dawn Thornton enters her third season as the leader of a hungry pack of Lady Lions. In preparation for a well-oiled McNeese State team, Thornton expects nothing but great things from her group in their home opener.
"I think this is a great matchup for us to start the year," head coach Dawn Thornton said about the season opener. "McNeese has a good team and they shoot the ball well. They have a first-year head coach looking for some early success. I feel like the players we've added will help score when needed."
The Lady Lions return eight of their players from a season ago.
Leading the returnees is Khadijah Brown, who earned Preseason Second Team All-SWAC honors. Last season, Brown averaged 15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
There are eight newcomers in the program that consists of five transfers and three freshmen.
"The fans and the community will see a full circle for this program," said Thornton. "We're long, we're bigger, we're athletic, we're able to run the floor and compete. Khadijah Brown has dominated every single day in practice. Joyce Kennerson and Kaila Walker both return for redemption in the league. One of our transfers, Tyeisha Juhan, brings more scoring from the perimeter that we lacked in the past. Bryana Langford is another long transfer and brings a lot of energy defensively, being able to guard the perimeter and the post. I'm just excited for this group as we're creeping up to the season."
Despite being selected to finish ninth in the preseason predictions, coach Thornton's team has the skillset and depth to compete with some of the best.
"We want to be able to make a statement," said Thornton. "The team was disappointed about our preseason rankings for our conference, but to finish atop of the league, we have to come out and play discipline for 40-minutes. Facing the mid-major teams during non-conference helps us prepare for what's to come."
#1TEAM1ROAR
