Arkansas State University Women s Basketball

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1 vs ASU Women s Basketball Schedule Date Opponent Time/Result Nov. 01 Maryville University (Exh.) W, Nov. 07 Christian Brothers (Exh.) W, Nov. 13 Charlotte L, Nov. 20 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi W, Nov. 23 Tulsa L, Nov. 27 Toledo W, Nov. 29 SEMO 7:00 p.m. Dec. 02 Illinois State% TBA Dec. 03 Arizona St. or Eastern Washington% TBA Dec. 10 Tulsa (Split DH) 3:05 p.m. Dec. 13 Louisiana Tech 7:05 p.m. Dec. 15 USC 7:05 p.m. Dec. 17 Stephen F. Austin 6:00 p.m. Dec. 20 Missouri State 7:05 p.m. Dec. 29 Florida Atlantic (DH)* 5:35 p.m. Dec. 31 Louisiana-Monroe* 2:00 p.m. Jan. 04 Denver* 7:05 p.m. Jan. 07 North Texas (Split DH)* 3:05 p.m. Jan. 10 UT-Martin 7:05 p.m. Jan. 14 UALR (Split DH)* 3:05 p.m. Jan. 18 Middle Tennessee* 7:00 p.m. Jan. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette* (Split DH) 3:05 p.m. Jan. 25 Denver* 8:00 p.m. Jan. 28 North Texas* 5:00 p.m. Feb. 01 Louisiana-Monroe* 7:05 p.m. Feb. 08 South Alabama* 7:05 p.m. Feb. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette* 5:00 p.m. Feb. 15 Troy* 7:05 p.m. Feb. 18 FIU (Split DH)* 3:05 p.m. Feb. 22 Western Kentucky* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 UALR* 4:30 p.m. Mar. 3-6 Sun Belt Conference Tournament # TBA % - Arizona State Classic # - At Hot Springs, Arkansas * Sun Belt Conference Game All Times Central Arkansas State Quick Facts Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas Enrollment: 13,239 Nickname: Red Wolves Colors: Scarlet and Black Arena: ASU Convocation Center (10,727) Conference: Sun Belt Head Coach: Brian Boyer Overall Record: (12 Seasons) Record at ASU: Same Arkansas State University Women s Basketball Van Provence n Assistant Sports Information Director n vprovence@astate.edu (office) n (cell) n fax Game 5 ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Tuesday, November 29, 2011 n 7:00 p.m. Show Me Center (7,000) n Cape Girardeau, Missouri Radio: KWHF 95.9 FM The Wolf & WebCast: LiveStats Available at TIPPING IT OFF: The Arkansas State Red Wolves will play the first of three consecutive road games Nov. 29 when they travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. to take on the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State. Tipoff for Tuesday night s game at the Show Me Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be webcast at The game may be heard on KWHF 95.9 FM The Wolf and through the StateZone portion of. LiveStats will also be available at AStateRed- Wolves.com. THE OPPONENT: Southeast Missouri State will take the court Tuesday night searching for its first victory after starting the season at 0-6. The game will be just the second home game of the season for the Redhawks, who played Ole Miss close before falling Nov. 21 at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks are led by junior forward Bailie Roberts, who averages a team-high 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Bianca Beck adds 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. THE SEMO SERIES: The Red Wolves hold a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series against SEMO, but the two teams have not met on the court since the season when ASU won in Jonesboro. SEMO holds a 2-1 advantage in games played in Cape Girardeau. THE COACHES: Arkansas State head coach Brian Boyer is in his 13th season as the Red Wolves head coach. With a record of to his credit, Boyer is the winningest coach in the history of Arkansas State basketball for both the women's and men's programs. Boyer has directed A-State to the Women s National Invitation Tournament four times and is assisted by Todd Schaefer, Jennifer Sullivan and Leslie Larsen. Ty Margenthaier is in his first season as head coach of the Redhawks. MILESTONE FOR BOYER: With the Nov. 20 victory over TAMUCC, A-State head coach Brian Boyer became the first basketball coach in ASU history to reach 200 victories. WEBCAST SCHEDULED: The ASU-SEMO will be broadcast live on the internet by television station KFVS in Cape Girardeau. The multi- ARKANSAS STATE PROJECTED STARTERS 11 Jane Morrill 6-2 F Scott City, Mo. PPG RPG FT% Ashley Olvera 5-8 G McKinney, Texas PPG RPG FT% Q. McDowell 5-8 G Monroe, La. PPG RPG FT% Meghan Lewis 5-8 G St. Louis, Mo. PPG RPG FT% Andi Watson 5-8 G Jonesboro, Ark. PPG RPG FT% A-State Women s Basketball 1

2 Sun Belt Standings As of Nov. 28 WEST DIVISION Team W L Pct. W L Pct. Denver North Texas Arkansas State UALR La.-Lafayette ULM EAST DIVISION Team W L Pct. W L Pct. South Alabama Middle Tenn FIU Florida Atlantic Western Kentucky Troy * Division Champion! Tournament Champion/NCAA Qualifier # Postseason WNIT Participant Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team NeNe Hurst (Arkansas State, Sr., G) Jerica Coley (FIU, So., G) Kaetlyn Murdoch (Denver, Sr., F) Mercedes Johnson (Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr., F) Ebony Rowe (Middle Tennessee, So., F) Second Team Marian Kursh (UALR, Sr., C) Larrie Williams (Louisiana-Monroe, Sr., C) Icelyn Elie (Middle Tennessee, Jr., F) Jasmine Godbolt (North Texas, Jr., Forward) LaTeira Owens (WKU, Sr., F) Third Team Emiko Smith (Denver, Jr., G) Finda Mansare (FIU, Jr., Forward) Breana Turner (Florida Atlantic, Sr., G) Sarda Peterson (South Alabama, Sr., G) DeAngela Sword (Troy, Sr., Guard) Preseason Co-Players of the Year Kaetlyn Murdoch & Ebony Rowe Preseason Coaches Poll West Division Points 1. Denver (6) Arkansas State (1) UALR (3) Louisiana-Monroe North Texas (1) Louisiana-Lafayette (1) 24 East Division Points 1. Middle Tennessee (9) FIU (1) Western Kentucky (1) South Alabama Florida Atlantic (1) Troy 17 camera video and audio WebCast will be presented live at KFVS12.com, and then archived on the website for users to watch at their convenience. Both the live presentation and the archived versions will be available free of charge. The archived version will be posted several hours after the end of coverage. Red Wolves fans not making the trip to Cape Girardeau can view the game by logging on to VICTORY OVER TOLEDO: In its victory over defending WNIT champion Toledo Nov. 27, Arkansas State shot a season-high.773 from the free throw line and drained a season-high nine three pointers. The 56 points scored by the Rockets were the fewest allowed by ASU this season, and the Red Wolves committed a season-low 11 turnovers. LUCKY 13?: Sophomore forward Jane Morrill has hit 18-of-19 free throws on the season and has not missed in her last 13 attempts at the line. Morrill s last miss was on her fourth of five attempts in the Red Wolves victory over Texas A&M Corpus-Christi in the second game of the season. HITTING THE THREE: Heading into the season, sophomore transfer Lunden Roberts was expected to be one of the Red Wolves leading HEAD-to-HEAD ASU SEMO 2-2, Record , Last Last Points Points Avg Scoring Margin FG Made-Att Field Goal Pct FG Made-Att FG Pct FG Made Pg FT Made-Att FT Pct Rebounds Rebounds Avg Rebounding Margin Assists Avg Turnovers Avg Turnover Margin Steals Avg Blocks Avg three-point shooters, but had gone 0-for-4 from beyond the arc in ASU s first three games. Roberts finally broke the ice when she connected from long-range in the Red Wolves victory over Toledo and finished the game 2-for- 3 from three-point range. BIG GAME FOR Q : Junior Quinishia Mc- Dowell posted her best game of the young season Nov. 23 at Tulsa. McDowell led the Red Wolves with a season-high 18 points. McDowell went 7-of-11 from the field and also added seven rebounds and three assists. THE JANE TRAIN: Arkansas State rode the Jane Train to an victory over Texas A&M- Corpus Christi Nov. 20 when sophomore forward Jane Morrill poured in 31 points, including 23 in the second half. For her efforts against the Islanders, she was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week Nov. 22. It was the first 30- point scoring performance by an ASU player since Adrienne Davie hit for at least 30 four times during the season. It was also the fifthhighest scoring total ever by an ASU player at The Convo and is tied for the highest point total scored by any Sun Belt Conference player this season. ALL OLVERA THE PLACE: Junior transfer guard Ashley Olvera was all over the court in helping ASU defeat TAMUCC Nov. 20. Olvera filled out the box score with a career-high 21 points, a career-high six steals, four assists and one blocked shot against the Islanders. RANDLE FINDS THE HANDLE: Sophomore guard/forward Mekena Randle had no trouble finding the ball during A-State s victory over TAMUCC Nov. 20. Randle ripped down a game and career-high 11 rebounds against the Islanders. Her previous career-high was two rebounds, set in last year s season opener, also against TAMUCC. ASU vs. SEMO All-Time Series ASU leads 4-3 Year Score Location W, Cape Girardeau W, Jonesboro W, Jonesboro L, Cape Girardeau L, Cape Girardeau L, Jonesboro W, Jonesboro A-State Women s Basketball 2

3 Athletic Media Relations Arkansas State University PO Box 1000 State University, AR Telephone Fax Press Row Website - WBB Contact - Van Provence, Asst. SID / vprovence@astate.edu Jerry Scott, Asst. A.D./ Sports Info. Dir jscott@astate.edu Anthony Reynolds, Asst. SID / areynolds@astate.edu Chris Graddy, Graduate Asst. christop.graddy@smail.astate.edu MEDIA INFORMATION Credentials Working press credentials can be requested by contacting Van Provence at , or by at vprovence@astate.edu. Full-season and single-game credentials will be mailed whenever possible. If not, they will be left at the Media Will Call table located on the lower level to the left of the green entrance. Media Room Enter the media room from the lower level, beneath the blue portal. Please do not attempt to access the media room from the entrance beneath the yellow portal. Post-Game Interviews The Arkansas State locker room is closed to all members of the media. Head coach Brian Boyer and requested assistant coaches and players will be available for interviews following a brief cooling off period. At ASU s home games, all post-game coach and player interviews will be conducted in the media room. Practice Coverage Red Wolves women s basketball practices are open to the media. Players and coaches are available for interviews following practice. When possible, please contact the Sports Information office prior to practice to arrange interviews. Basketball Releases All Red Wolves basketball releases can be obtained as a PDF document on the athletics website at. To be added to the broadcast for basketball releases, contact Van Provence in the Sports Information office. ASU IN HOME OPENERS: In 12 seasons under head coach Brian Boyer, Arkansas State s record in home openers stands at 12-1 after Sunday s victory over Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Red Wolves have won 11 consecutive home openers under Boyer. THE RED WOLVES RECENTLY: Four players scored in double-digits to lead the Red Wolves to a victory over defending WNIT champion Toledo Nov. 27. Junior transfer Ashley Olvera led the way with 20 points, scoring 17 in the first half. Sophomore Jane Morrill added 15, senior Meghan Lewis chipped in 10 and junior Quinishia McDowell scored 10 points as well. NEXT UP: The Red Wolves travel to Tempe, Ariz. for the Dec. 2-3 Arizona State Classic. Arkansas State will open play against Illinois State Dec. 2, then play Arizona State or Eastern Washington Dec. 3. Arkansas State will play the second game of the day Dec. 2, tipping off at approximately 2 p.m. (MT). The Dec. 3 schedule will find Arkansas State playing at noon (MT) or 25 minutes after the conclusion of game one. MILESTONE PERFORMANCES 30+ POINT GAMES No. Games Jane Morrill POINT GAMES No. Games Ashley Olvera Jane Morrill SCORING DOUBLE FIGURES No. Games Jane Morrill Meghan Lewis Ashley Olvera Quinishia McDowell DOUBLE-FIGURE REBOUNDS No. Games Mekena Randle FIVE OR MORE ASSISTS No. Games Ashley Olvera THREE OR MORE BLOCKS No. Games none n/a FIVE OR MORE STEALS No. Games Ashley Olvera DOUBLE-DOUBLE No. Games none n/a CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLES No. Games NeNe Hurst Quinishia McDowell MORRILL NAMED SBC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Following her performance in Arkansas State s victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Sunday afternoon, forward Jane Morrill has been named Sun Belt Conference Women s Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. Morrill poured in a career-high 31 points in the win over the Islanders. With ASU down by nine in the second half, Morrill broke out for 23 points in the final 20 minutes to help ASU win going away. The sophomore from Scott City, Mo. shot.541 from the floor in the game (13-24), connected on her only three-point attempt and hit 4-5 from the free throw line (.800). She also pulled down eight rebounds in the game, six of which were on the offensive glass and only committed two turnovers in 37 minutes of playing time. Her 31- point total is tied for the most by any Sun Belt player this season, is the fifth-highest total ever scored by an ASU player at the Convocation Center and is the first 30-point performance by an ASU player since the season. I m happy for Jane her second half against Corpus Christi was one of the most impressive halves of basketball I have seen by an individual while at Arkansas State, said ASU head coach Brian Boyer. Jane is still just scratching the surface of how good she can be, and with her strong work ethic she is going to continue to improve all season long. SBC HONORS: Arkansas State senior NeNe Hurst has been named preseason first-team All- Sun Belt Conference, and the Red Wolves are picked second behind Denver in the SBC West Division preseason poll, the conference office RECORDS WATCH Career Scoring Rank NeNe Hurst (997) Career Rebounding Rank NeNe Hurst (457) Career Three-Pointers Made Rank Meghan Lewis (97) NeNe Hurst (89) Career Blocked Shots Rank NeNe Hurst (39) Career Assists Rank NeNe Hurst (239) Career Steals Rank NeNe Hurst (179) Quinishia McDowell (105) A-State Women s Basketball 3

4 ASU RECORD WHEN announced Tuesday morning. The all-conference selections and poll are voted on by the league s 12 head coaches. Wolves have posted a record of at the ASU Convocation Center since its opening in 1987, for a winning percentage of.755. at home The all-conference team and poll were released on the road in conjunction with the league s annual Sun Belt RED WOLVES INK THREE: Arkansas State neutral Conference Media Days, which got underway head women s basketball coach Brian Boyer announced Nov. 9 that guards Xena King and leading at half Tuesday using web-based video conferencing to trailing at half tied at half give media members across the nation access to Sandy Jackson of North Little Rock (Ark.) and overtime the league s head coaches. forward Jessica Flanery of Mountain View (Ark.) last minute games In my opinion, NeNe is definitely a first team allconference have all signed National Letters of Intent to continue one-point games ASU scores: player, and when it's all said and done she will make a push for player of the year, their careers with the Red Wolves. King, a 5 11 combo guard, averaged 12.2 points 59 and under said ASU head coach Brian Boyer. There are and 3.8 rebounds during her junior season, while not many players in this conference that can positively affect all aspects of the game like she can. 3.2 assists and is a two-time all-state and all- Jackson averaged 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and She can play four out of five positions, she's capable of being our leading scorer and rebounder Rock High School to a 31-0 record and the Class conference performer. The duo led North Little the opponents scores: and most likely is our best defender. 7A State Championship during the season 59 and under An All-SBC Tournament selection a year ago after leading ASU to the semifinals, Hurst started and a 28-1 mark that included a trip to the 7A semifinals during their junior season all 32 games for the Red Wolves and led the Jackson is the daughter of Michael and Sandra team in scoring at 11.8 points-per-game. One of Jackson and plans to major in Business, while the top rebounding guards in the league, Hurst King is the daughter of Rebecca Cunningham averaged 6.1 boards per game to rank second and Anthony King and plans to major in Athletic ASU shoots: under 35% on the team and 17th overall in the Sun Belt. Training. Jackson and King are coached by 35-39% She led the Red Wolves in steals at 2.3 per Daryl Fimple at NLRHS % game, a figure that also ranked second in the Xena is a very athletic guard, said Boyer. In 45-49% % league and 95th nationally. She scored in double-figures in 24 games last season and posted fact, she ll be as athletic as any guard in the Sun Belt Conference. She is also a very good the opponent shoots: her first career double-double when she finished perimeter shooter and the combination of her under 35% with 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in athletic ability and her shooting touch is going to 35-39% the Red Wolves victory at North Texas. Hurst allow her to be very successful at the next level % % scored a career-high 28 points in ASU s victory Sandy will be able to play either the point or offguard spot in college, said Boyer. Defensively 50% at Troy, notched a career-high eight steals in the free throws: Red Wolves win over South Alabama and was is where she can make an immediate impact at under 60% % named to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Tip-Off all-tournament team. the collegiate level; she can defend numerous positions because of her strength and toughness. The quality that you love about Sandy is 70-79% Hurst enters her senior season ranked 20th at 80% ASU in career scoring, 19th in career rebounding, 13th in career assists, ninth in career steals, school team or AAU team, it is obvious that her leadership ability. Whether on her high opponent free throws: under 60% th in blocked shots and 13th in three-pointers Sandy is a great teammate and a great leader % % made. As a junior at Mountain View, Flanery averaged 80% Middle Tennessee s Ebony Rowe and Denver s 15 points in the playoffs to lead the Yellowjackets to the Class 3A State Champi- outshoots opponent Kaetlyn Murdoch were named as the preseason outshot by opponent same Co-Players of the Year, while the Blue Raiders and Pioneers were picked as the favorites to win onship. Named the Most Valuable Player of the Class 3A state tournament, Flanery helped ASU takes: the league s East and West Divisions, respectively. while averaging 19 points and six rebounds. Mountain View to a 32-2 record on the season under 50 FGA FGA "I think there is a lot of guess-work in our Division She also holds state record in football for the FGA FGA this year, Boyer added. Each team has significant players coming back, but each graduated most points scored, most extra points and most more rebounds less rebounds some very good players too. We fall into that even rebounds has more o-boards has less o-boards category as well. I think the coaches in this league recognize that we have a good deal of talent coming back but there is still some uncertainty of how we will perform without Shay (Scott) same o-boards has players foul out and Jaz (Taylor). Overall, second is probably a opponent players foul out very fair prediction at this time." has technical fouls opponent technical fouls THE RED WOLVES AT HOME: The Red A-State Women s Basketball 4

5 field goals by a female. A member of the MVHS softball team and an honor roll scholar, Flanery is the daughter of Jimmy and Linnay Flanery and is coached by Steve Ross. She plans to major in Sports Medicine at ASU. Jessica is an all-around good player, said Boyer. In high school she has played both guard and post, and those experiences will benefit her once she gets to college. She has the versatility that you like in a guard when you are running a motion offense. I also believe that defensively, her size and strength will allow her to defend several positions. Signing her early will allow me time to be creative in finding a way to use her field-goal kicking skills. We may come up with a full court out of bounds play where she kicks it the length of the court, if that s legal. I m looking forward Jessica, Xena and Sandy joining our program, Boyer added. We have signed three in-state guards that are very well coached; their high school coaches have prepared them very well for the next level. It also is exciting to sign three players that rarely lose. Xena and Sandy have only lost one game during the past two seasons combined, and Jessica led her team to a state championship last year, while only losing two games during the season. We have added three players to our roster that know ASU INDIVIDUAL GAME LEADERS how to win. SEASON OUTLOOK: As the season gets underway, the Arkansas State Red Wolves hope to utilize a core group of returning players and ride a wave of momentum back into postseason play. That momentum started in the final month of the season, when A-State won six of its final seven games to reach the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and end the season with 18 victories. Included in those 18 victories was the 197th career win for head coach Brian Boyer, making him the winningest head coach in the history of Arkansas State women s or men s basketball. Arkansas State defeated UALR in the regular-season finale to add the milestone to Boyer s resume, then added a pair of wins in the SBC Tournament to give Boyer 199 wins heading into this season. The Red Wolves return four players who started at least seven games a year ago, including two that started all 32 contests. Senior guard NeNe Hurst and junior guard Quinishia McDowell both drew starts in every game for the Red Wolves a year ago, with Hurst leading ASU in scoring on the season. Hurst was named preseason first-team All-Sun Belt Conference heading into the season. An All-SBC Tournament selection a year in bigger and stronger and I think it s going to allow her to withstand the entire season. She is scoring and shooting the ball with more consistency than she did in past years. The other thing you get with Q is just her leadership skills; she truly buys into and gets what our program is all about, on the court and off the court. She s just a great role model and a great leader for this team. Senior Meghan Lewis played in all 32 games a year ago, started the final seven, and was a key factor in the Red Wolves late-season run as she averaged almost 15 points-per-game during that stretch. A constant threat from outside the threepoint arc, she knocked down a career-high seven treys in ASU s road victory over Troy last season and finished with a team-high 44 threepointers on the year. I m thrilled with Meghan Lewis right now, said Boyer. The way she faced the year last year, and certainly the way she shot the ball; you saw last year when we went on our win streak, she s a game-changing player because of the way she shoots it. This year I m even more pleased with her overall game. She has a better understanding defensively and her decision-making has improved. She s putting the ball on the floor better. She s really becoming a complete all-around player. Sophomore Jane Morrill made an immediate impact during her freshman season, playing in all ago after leading ASU to the semifinals, Hurst SCORING No. Games scored a team-best 11.8 points-per-game. One 32 games and averaging 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. Expected to be ASU s main threat in Ashley Olvera Meghan Lewis of the top rebounding guards in the league, she Quinishia McDowell averaged 6.1 boards per game to rank second the paint, she is also a threat from behind the Jane Morrill on the team and 17th overall in the Sun Belt. three-point line and shot a team-best.433 from She led the Red Wolves in steals at 2.3 per outside the arc a year ago. She scored a careerhigh 19 points, including the game-winning FIELD GOAL PCT. (5+ Att.) No. Games game, a figure that also ranked second in the Quinishia McDowell Meghan Lewis league and 95th nationally. Hurst enters her senior season ranked 20th at ASU in career scor- to give ASU a victory at FIU Jan. 5. three-pointer with less than a second remaining Jane Morrill ing, 19th in career rebounding, 13th in career Jane certainly came on the scene in a big way FREE THROWS MADE No. Games assists, ninth in career steals, 12th in blocked last year as a freshman, and we re going to lean Jane Morrill shots and 13th in three-pointers made. on her very heavily this year, said Boyer. Last Andi Watson NeNe was selected first-team all conference year she played minutes a game, and this REBOUNDS No. Games and she s very deserving, said Boyer. I think year she s going to play minutes during Ashley Olvera when it s all said and done she is a player that the first minutes of the game. We re going Andi Watson could be a candidate for player of the year. Very to need her out there a lot. Where she s going to Jane Morrill few players in this league impact every phase of help this team is her scoring ability, not only in Mekena Randle the game like she does. NeNe could be your the post, but her ability to step out and shoot the ASSISTS No. Games leading scorer, your leading rebounder and at three. She s a very dangerous, very versatile offensive player. Ashley Olvera times your best defender. She s just a very good Meghan Lewis all-around player. Quinishia McDowell McDowell was third on the Red Wolves team in STEALS No. Games scoring a year ago, averaging 10.2 points-pergame, scoring in double figures 18 times and Jane Morrill Quinishia McDowell posting two double-doubles. She was also third Ashley Olvera in steals at 1.9 per game, a figure that ranked seventh in the SBC. BLOCKS No. Games Ashley Olvera Q is a player that brings experience, being a Quinishia McDowell two-year starter for us, said Boyer. I was really Jane Morrill pleased with her off-season this year. She came A-State Women s Basketball 5

6 Junior Andi Watson played in 26 games for the Red Wolves a year ago, starting in 10 of those contests and averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. Last year Andi went from freshman not playing to a sophomore that kind of bounced around a lot, said Boyer. From starting to not starting, to not playing much, to playing a lot. What I m seeing right now is more consistency. It starts with her defensively; she capable of being our best defender. We are still trying to get her to become more of a scoring threat, but she s getting there. Sophomore Mekena Randle saw action off the bench in 13 games a year ago, averaging just under a point and a rebound on the year. I m very happy with Mekena right now, said Boyer. She has made very good strides since last year, starting on the defensive end. She is very athletic and can defend a lot of positions. We are tying to get her to improve in the scoring area but she s playing well enough defensively that she can help us just because of that. Guards Lunden Roberts and Hanna Qedan are both expected to see significant playing time this season after redshirting a year ago. Roberts averaged 12.6 minutes and 3.2 points per game as a true freshman at Western Illinois before transferring to ASU prior to the season. Roberts will be a sophomore this season, while Qedan will be a freshman after sitting out last ball. As she continues to grow and understand what we re trying to do defensively, she s capable of being a very good defender too. Right now, she s really athletic and rebounding is where her niche will be. Junior Ashley Olvera is also expected to see immediate playing time after transferring to Arkansas State from Pensacola State College. Last year at PSC, Olvera earned second-team All-Panhandle Conference honors after helping lead the Pirates to a 35-1 record and third-place finish in the NJCAA Tournament. During her sophomore season, Olvera averaged 4.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. With Ashley you get a scoring point guard, or she can play off guard, said Boyer. She has very, very good speed with the ball, has exceptional ball handling skills and really sees the floor well. I would guess that as this season goes along our success is going to depend a lot on Ashley. She has an opportunity to take this team to another level. Four true freshmen will join the Red Wolves for the season. Guard Tiarra Pritchett has been on campus for a year becoming academically eligible and averaged eight points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals as a senior at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Al. We need to have big things out of Tiarra this in a long time. She is a real physical presence in the paint from a defensive and a rebounding standpoint. She s very, very physical and really rebounds the basketball well. Freshman forward Kieanna Wharton averaged seven points and five rebounds, while shooting 47 percent from the floor as a senior at Pike High School in Indianapolis. Kieanna is probably the most versatile of all of our new post players, said Boyer. She really has a good face-up jump shot. I think in time her future is going to be more of a face-up post player, more of a forward. She has a very good touch and that s going to be her strength as we go along. Junior Sandricka Bowen transferred to Arkansas State from Northwest Mississippi Community College, but will redshirt during the season after suffering a knee injury during preseason practice. To reach post-season play, Boyer and the Red Wolves will face a schedule that is challenging both in and out of Sun Belt Conference play. Fifteen home games, including seven teams that advanced to post-season play a year ago, highlight the ASU Red Wolves women s basketball schedule. Three of the teams that reached the post season last year saw action in the NCAA Tournament, while two of the four WNIT participants that will visit the ASU Convocation season due to injury. Qedan averaged 19 year at the point spot, said Boyer. She is very Center advanced to the championship points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots as a senior at Farmington (Ark.) High School two years ago. With Lunden, what you see is what you get, said Boyer. She s just a shooter and she can really do that well. She s a very good shooter deep range. She really improved during the season last year while sitting out. I thought she took advantage of the off-season and came back in very good physical condition. She s quicker now and maybe more explosive than what she was when she got here. With Hanna, really you get the total player, Boyer added. She s got good size, she can shoot the three and can score with either hand. quick and very fast with the basketball. She has that unique ability to be as fast and quick as any point guard in this league but you rarely see her get out of control. She really stays within herself and that s a great quality for a point guard to have. A trio of post players will join Pritchett for their first season at Arkansas State. Forward Jasmine Hunt averaged 12.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and two steals during her four-year career at St. Pius X high school in Houston, Texas. Hunt led St. Pius X to a 30-3 record her senior year and it s first district title since Jasmine is maybe the best physically-gifted of any post player we have brought into this program, game of that tournament. The regular season will tip off Nov. 13 in Charlotte when ASU takes on the 49ers, who reached the WNIT semifinals a year ago before losing to eventual champion Toledo. The home opener is set for Nov. 16 against NCAA participant Louisiana Tech, followed by a Nov. 20 home matchup against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. A Nov. 23 trip to Tulsa will be the first of two games in a home-and-home series with the Golden Hurricane, with Tulsa scheduled to visit Jonesboro Dec. 10. The Red Wolves will return home Nov. 27 for a date with WNIT Champion Toledo before hitting the road for three straight contests. ASU will She s a very gifted player. With her it s like a said Boyer. When you re talking travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for a regional freshman year and it s like starting from scratch with the understanding of what we re trying to do, but talent-wise, she brings a lot to the table. Guard/Forward Olivia Maddox also redshirted last year after suffering an injury and will have four years of eligibility remaining. Maddox Averaged 6.7 points, 2.0 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game as a senior at Millington (Tenn.) Central High School and is expected to see significant playing time this year. Olivia has a very good future here and can help this team this year, said Boyer. She s a very good rebounder with a very good knack for the strength, running ability and jumping ability, she s very gifted. It s just going to be a matter of time before the skill level catches up with those physical abilities, and when they do she s going to be a very big factor for us. Forward Laura Reel is expected to bring a physical presence under the basket during her freshman season. She averaged 12.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks at Wagoner (Okla.) High School and shot 51 percent from the field as a senior. I m excited about Laura s future, said Boyer. She is a post player that we have not had here matchup with SEMO Nov. 29 before heading to Tempe, Ariz. Dec. 2-3 for a pair of games in the Arizona State Classic. Along with host Arizona State, WNIT participant Illinois State and Eastern Washington will also play in the ASU Classic. The Dec. 10 home game against Tulsa will be followed by a home date against USC, which fell to Toledo in the finals of last year s WNIT. After a Dec. 17 road trip to Stephen F. Austin, A- State will host WNIT participant Missouri State Dec. 20 before the Red Wolves tip off Sun Belt Conference play at home against Florida Atlantic Dec A-State Women s Basketball 6

7 Following a New Year s Eve date at Louisiana- Monroe, A-State will return home for four consecutive games. WNIT participant Denver will visit Jonesboro Jan. 4, with North Texas following Jan. 7. Arkansas State will then host backto-back games against teams that played in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, with UT-Martin on the schedule for Jan. 10 and UALR set for Jan. 14. Sun Belt Conference opponents Louisiana-Lafayette (Jan. 21), Louisiana-Monroe (Feb. 1), Troy (Feb. 15) and FIU (Feb. 18) will also visit Jonesboro during the latter half of the season. Arkansas State will close out the regular season with a pair of road games, traveling to Western Kentucky Feb. 22 and UALR Feb. 25, before heading to Hot Springs March 3-6 for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament A-State Women s Basketball 7

8 ASU Red Wolves Roster Numerical Roster No. Name Pos. Ht Cl. Hometown (Previous School) 2 Qedan, Hanna G 5-11 Fr.-RS Farmington, AR (Farmington) 3 Roberts, Lunden G 5-8 So.-TR Batesville, AR (Western Illinois) 10 Pritchett, Tiarra G 5-5 Fr. Madison, AL (Bob Jones) 11 Morrill, Jane F 6-1 So. Scott City, MO (Notre Dame HS) 12 Olvera, Ashley G 5-8 Jr. McKinney, TX (Pensacola State College) 13 McDowell, Quinishia G 5-8 Jr.-RS Monroe, LA (Ouachita Parish) 20 Lewis, Meghan G 5-8 Sr. St. Louis, MO (McCluer-S.Berkeley) 21 Hurst, NeNe G 5-10 Sr.-RS St. Louis, MO (Kirkwood) 23 Hunt, Jasmine F 6-2 Fr. Houston, TX (St. Pius X) 31 Reel, Laura F 6-2 Fr. Wagoner, OK (Wagoner) 32 Maddox, Olivia G/F 5-11 Fr.-RS Millington, TN (Millington) 34 Randle, Mekena G/F 5-9 So. Madison, AL (Bob Jones) 35 Bowen, Sandricka G 5-5 Jr. Holly Springs, MS (NW Miss. CC) 40 Watson, Andi G 5-8 Jr. Jonesboro, AR (Nettleton) 42 Wharton, Kieanna F 6-1 Fr. Indianapolis, IN (Pike) Alphabetical Roster No. Name Pos. Ht Cl. Hometown (Previous School) 35 Bowen, Sandricka G 5-5 Jr. Holly Springs, MS (NW Miss. CC) 23 Hunt, Jasmine F 6-2 Fr. Houston, TX (St. Pius X) 21 Hurst, NeNe G 5-10 Sr.-RS St. Louis, MO (Kirkwood) 20 Lewis, Meghan G 5-8 Sr. St. Louis, MO (McCluer-S.Berkeley) 32 Maddox, Olivia G/F 5-11 Fr.-RS Millington, TN (Millington) 13 McDowell, Quinishia G 5-8 Jr.-RS Monroe, LA (Ouachita Parish) 11 Morrill, Jane F 6-1 So. Scott City, MO (Notre Dame HS) 12 Olvera, Ashley G 5-8 Jr. McKinney, TX (Pensacola State College) 10 Pritchett, Tiarra G 5-5 Fr. Madison, AL (Bob Jones) 2 Qedan, Hanna G 5-11 Fr.-RS Farmington, AR (Farmington) 34 Randle, Mekena G/F 5-9 So. Madison, AL (Bob Jones) 31 Reel, Laura F 6-2 Fr. Wagoner, OK (Wagoner) 3 Roberts, Lunden G 5-8 So.-TR Batesville, AR (Western Illinois) 40 Watson, Andi G 5-8 Jr. Jonesboro, AR (Nettleton) 42 Wharton, Kieanna F 6-1 Fr. Indianapolis, IN (Pike) Head Coach - Brian Boyer (Missouri Western) Assistant Coaches - Jennifer Sullivan (Memphis) Leslie Larsen (Arkansas State) Todd Schaefer (Thomas More College) Pronunciation Guide Quinishia Kwah-NEE-she-uh NeNe Nee-Nee Qedan Kah-DAN Morrill MOR-ell Mekena Mee-KEEN-ah Kieanna Kee-ah-na Olvera Ole-vehr-ah A-State Women s Basketball 7

9 #2 n Hanna Qedan n 5 11 n Fr. (RS) n G n Farmington, Arkansas SEASON HIGHS Points FG Made FG Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 3FG Made FG Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Made FT Att Rebounds , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists Steals Blocks Minutes at Tulsa 11/23/11 CAREER HIGHS Points FG Made FG Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 3FG Made FG Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Made FT Att Rebounds , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists Steals Blocks Minutes at Tulsa 11/23/ A-State Women s Basketball 8

10 #3 n Lunden Roberts n 5 8 n So. (TR) n G n Batesville, Arkansas SEASON HIGHS Points vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FG Made vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FG Att , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Made vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Made FT Att Rebounds , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals at Tulsa 11/23/11 Blocks at Tulsa 11/23/11 Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FG Made vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FG Att , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Made vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Made FT Att Rebounds , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals at Tulsa 11/23/11 Blocks at Tulsa 11/23/11 Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 9

11 #10 n Tiarra Pritchett n 5 5 n Fr. n G n Madison, Alabama SEASON HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made FG Att FG Made FG Att FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals Blocks Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made FG Att FG Made FG Att FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals Blocks Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 10

12 #11 n Jane Morrill n 6 1 n So. (1L) n F n Scott City, Missouri SEASON HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Made , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Att , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Steals vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Blocks at Charlotte 11/13/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made vs. Middle Tenn. 1/16/11 3FG Att , three times last vs. UALR 2/26/11 FT Made at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Att , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 Rebounds vs. FAU 1/8/11 Assists vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Steals vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Blocks vs. FAU 1/8/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 11

13 #12 n Ashley Olvera n 5 8 n Jr. (TR) n G n McKinney, Texas SEASON HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Made vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Rebounds at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists at Tulsa 11/23/11 Steals vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Blocks , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Minutes vs. Toledo 11/27/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Made vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Att vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Rebounds at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists at Tulsa 11/23/11 Steals vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Blocks , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Minutes vs. Toledo 11/27/ A-State Women s Basketball 12

14 #13 n Quinishia McDowell n 5 8 n Jr. (RS, 2L) n G n Monroe, Louisiana SEASON HIGHS Points at Tulsa 11/23/11 FG Made at Tulsa 11/23/11 FG Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 3FG Made , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 3FG Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Made at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 Rebounds at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals at Charlotte 11/13/11 Blocks vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. W. Kentucky 1/2/11 FG Made vs. W. Kentucky 1/2/11 FG Att vs. FAU 1/8/11 3FG Made vs. W. Kentucky 1/2/11 3FG Att vs. Saint Louis 11/19/10 FT Made vs. Denver 2/5/11 FT Att , twice last vs. UT-Arlington 11/24/10 Rebounds vs. SFA 12/21/10 Assists , twice last vs. ULL 1/27/10 Steals vs. Ga. Southern 11/27/10 Blocks , six times last vs. UALR 2/26/11 Minutes vs. SMU 11/26/ A-State Women s Basketball 13

15 #20 n Meghan Lewis n 5 8 n Sr. (3L) n G n St. Louis, Missouri SEASON HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Assists vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Steals , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Blocks Minutes at Tulsa 11/23/11 CAREER HIGHS Points at Troy 2/19/11 FG Made at Troy 2/19/11 FG Att vs. UAPB 11/18/09 3FG Made at Troy 2/19/11 3FG Att at Troy 2/19/11 FT Made vs. North Texas 2/23/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. UAPB 11/18/09 Assists vs. UTA 12/15/09 Steals , twice last vs. UT-Arlington 11/24/10 Blocks , four times last vs. North Texas 2/23/11 Minutes , twice last vs. UTA 12/15/ A-State Women s Basketball 14

16 #21 n NeNe Hurst n 5 10 n Sr. (RS, 3L) n G n St. Louis, Missouri SEASON HIGHS Points FG Made FG Att FG Made FG Att FT Made FT Att Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Minutes CAREER HIGHS Points at Troy 2/19/11 FG Made at Troy 2/19/11 FG Att vs. North Texas 1/25/11 3FG Made vs. Creighton 11/14/08 3FG Att vs. SMU 11/26/10 FT Made vs. Oklahoma 12/7/08 FT Att , twice last at Troy 2/19/11 Rebounds , three times last vs. UALR 2/26/11 Assists vs. North Texas 1/2/10 Steals vs. S. Alabama 12/30/10 Blocks vs. TAMUCC 11/13/10 Minutes vs. SMU 11/26/ A-State Women s Basketball 15

17 #23 n Jasmine Hunt n 6 2 n Fr. n F n Houston, Texas SEASON HIGHS Points , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 FG Made , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att FT Made FT Att Rebounds at Tulsa 11/23/11 Assists Steals at Tulsa 11/23/11 Blocks Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 CAREER HIGHS Points at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att FT Made FT Att Rebounds , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists Steals Blocks Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 16

18 #31 n Laura Reel n 6 2 n Fr. n F n Wagoner, Oklahoma 1 SEASON HIGHS Points FG Made FG Att FG Made FG Att FT Made at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 Rebounds Assists Steals at Tulsa 11/23/11 Blocks Minutes , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 CAREER HIGHS Points FG Made FG Att FG Made FG Att FT Made FT Att Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Minutes , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 17

19 #32 n Olivia Maddox n 5 11 n Fr. (RS) n G/F n Millington, Tennessee SEASON HIGHS Points at Tulsa 11/23/11 FG Made FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att FT Made at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Att at Tulsa 11/23/11 Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Minutes at Tulsa 11/23/11 CAREER HIGHS Points FG Made FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att FT Made FT Att Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 18

20 #34 n Mekena Randle n 5 9 n So. (1L) n G/F n Madison, Alabama SEASON HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists Steals , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Blocks Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made , four times last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists vs. S. Alabama 12/30/10 Steals , twice last vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Blocks Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 19

21 #40 n Andi Watson n 5 8 n Jr. (2L) n G n Jonesboro, Arkansas SEASON HIGHS Points at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att , twice last at Tulsa 11/23/11 FT Made , three times last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 FT Att , three times last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Rebounds vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals at Charlotte 11/13/11 Blocks Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 CAREER HIGHS Points vs. TAMUCC 11/13/10 FG Made , six times last at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att , twice last at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Made FG Att , twice last vs. UAPB 11/15/10 FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/13/10 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/13/10 Rebounds , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/11 Assists , twice last at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals , twice last vs. Ga. Southern 11/27/10 Blocks vs. UTA 12/15/09 Minutes , twice last vs. Toledo 11/27/ A-State Women s Basketball 20