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 7:00 p.m. Nov. 27 Toledo 2:05 p.m. 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 3 ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES at TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 n 7:00 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Center (8,355) n Tulsa, Oklahoma Radio: KWHF 95.9 FM The Wolf & LiveStats Available at TIPPING IT OFF: The Arkansas State Red Wolves travel to Tulsa, Okla. Nov. 23 to take on the Tulsa University Golden Hurricane in a 7:00 p.m. game at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. The matchup will be the first of two meetings with Tulsa this season, with the Golden Hurricane set to visit The Convo Dec. 10. 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: Tulsa returns four starters from last year s team that finished 5-20, but the Golden Hurricane is still searching for its first victory on the year, having started the season at 0-3. The Golden Hurricane has suffered narrow losses in two of its three games, falling at UALR (52-48), at home against BYU (64-61) and on the road at Colorado State (87-68). Two players are averaging double-figures to lead Tulsa in scoring. Guard Taleya Mayberry leads the Golden Hurricane at 15.0 points-per-game, with guard Taylor Hooker adding 11.3 points. THE TULSA SERIES: Arkansas State holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series against Tulsa, but the two teams have not played since the season. ASU leads 2-0 in games played in Tulsa and 1-0 when playing in Jonesboro. 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. Matilda Mossman is in her first season as head coach of the Golden Hurricane. 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. 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 Is- 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. 21 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. Florida Atlantic South Alabama Middle Tenn FIU Troy Western Kentucky * 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 landers, 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. HEAD-to-HEAD ASU Tulsa 1-1, 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.2.3 vs. TAMUCC 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: Sophomore forward Jane Morrill led three players in double figures as ASU rallied from a nine-point deficit in the second half to defeat TAMUCC Morrill finished with a career-high 31 points, junior guard Ashley Olvera scored a career-high 21 to go along with six steals and four assists, and senior guard Meghan Lewis added 17 points. NEXT UP: The Red Wolves return to the ASU Convocation Center for a Nov. 27 clash with the Rockets of Toledo. The Rockets are the first of the two teams that reached the finals of last year s National Women s Invitation Tournament to visit The Convo this year. The Trojans of USC will make the trip to Jonesboro Dec. 15. Toledo defeated Southern California in the 2011 championship game. 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 ASU vs. Tulsa All-Time Series ASU leads 3-0 Year Score Location W, Tulsa W, Jonesboro W, Tulsa 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. 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 announced Tuesday morning. The all-conference selections and poll are voted on by the league s 12 head coaches. The all-conference team and poll were released in conjunction with the league s annual Sun Belt Conference Media Days, which got underway Tuesday using web-based video conferencing to give media members across the nation access to the league s head coaches. In my opinion, NeNe is definitely a first team allconference player, and when it's all said and done she will make a push for player of the year, said ASU head coach Brian Boyer. There are not many players in this conference that can positively affect all aspects of the game like she can. She can play four out of five positions, she's capable of being our leading scorer and rebounder MILESTONE PERFORMANCES 30+ POINT GAMES No. Games Jane Morrill POINT GAMES No. Games Jane Morrill Ashley Olvera SCORING DOUBLE FIGURES No. Games Meghan Lewis Jane Morrill Ashley Olvera DOUBLE-FIGURE REBOUNDS No. Games Mekena Randle FIVE OR MORE ASSISTS No. Games none n/a 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 and most likely is our best defender. An All-SBC Tournament selection a year ago after leading ASU to the semifinals, Hurst started all 32 games for the Red Wolves and led the team in scoring at 11.8 points-per-game. One of the top rebounding guards in the league, Hurst averaged 6.1 boards per game to rank second on the team and 17th overall in the Sun Belt. She led the Red Wolves in steals at 2.3 per game, a figure that also ranked second in the league and 95th nationally. She scored in double-figures in 24 games last season and posted her first career double-double when she finished with 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the Red Wolves victory at North Texas. Hurst scored a career-high 28 points in ASU s victory at Troy, notched a career-high eight steals in the Red Wolves win over South Alabama and was named to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Tip-Off all-tournament team. Hurst enters her senior season ranked 20th at ASU in career scoring, 19th in career rebounding, 13th in career assists, ninth in career steals, 12th in blocked shots and 13th in three-pointers made. Middle Tennessee s Ebony Rowe and Denver s Kaetlyn Murdoch were named as the preseason Co-Players of the Year, while the Blue Raiders and Pioneers were picked as the favorites to win the league s East and West Divisions, respectively. "I think there is a lot of guess-work in our Division this year, Boyer added. Each team has significant players coming back, but each graduated some very good players too. We fall into that 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 uncer- RECORDS WATCH Career Scoring Rank NeNe Hurst (997) Career Rebounding Rank NeNe Hurst (457) Career Three-Pointers Made Rank Meghan Lewis (94) NeNe Hurst (89) Career Blocked Shots Rank NeNe Hurst (39) Career Assists Rank NeNe Hurst (239) Career Steals Rank NeNe Hurst (179) Quinishia McDowell (104) A-State Women s Basketball 3

4 ASU RECORD WHEN tainty of how we will perform without Shay (Scott) and Jaz (Taylor). Overall, second is probably a very fair prediction at this time." 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 at home on the road THE RED WOLVES AT HOME: The Red versatility that you like in a guard when you are neutral Wolves have posted a record of at the running a motion offense. I also believe that defensively, her size and strength will allow her to leading at half ASU Convocation Center since its opening in trailing at half tied at half , for a winning percentage of.755. defend several positions. Signing her early will overtime allow me time to be creative in finding a way to last minute games RED WOLVES INK THREE: Arkansas State use her field-goal kicking skills. We may come one-point games ASU scores: head women s basketball coach Brian Boyer announced Nov. 9 that guards Xena King and up with a full court out of bounds play where she kicks it the length of the court, if that s legal. 59 and under Sandy Jackson of North Little Rock (Ark.) and I m looking forward Jessica, Xena and Sandy forward Jessica Flanery of Mountain View (Ark.) joining our program, Boyer added. We have have all signed National Letters of Intent to continue their careers with the Red Wolves. coached; their high school coaches have pre- signed three in-state guards that are very well King, a 5 11 combo guard, averaged 12.2 points pared them very well for the next level. It also is the opponents scores: and 3.8 rebounds during her junior season, while exciting to sign three players that rarely lose. 59 and under Jackson averaged 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists and is a two-time all-state and allconference Xena and Sandy have only lost one game during the past two seasons combined, and Jessica led performer. The duo led North Little her team to a state championship last year, while Rock High School to a 31-0 record and the Class only losing two games during the season. We A State Championship during the season and a 28-1 mark that included a trip to the 7A how to win. have added three players to our roster that know ASU shoots: under 35% semifinals during their junior season % Jackson is the daughter of Michael and Sandra SEASON OUTLOOK: As the season 40-44% Jackson and plans to major in Business, while gets underway, the Arkansas State Red Wolves 45-49% % King is the daughter of Rebecca Cunningham and Anthony King and plans to major in Athletic 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 the opponent shoots: Training. Jackson and King are coached by under 35% Daryl Fimple at NLRHS. month of the season, when A-State won 35-39% Xena is a very athletic guard, said Boyer. In six of its final seven games to reach the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and 40-44% % fact, she ll be as athletic as any guard in the Sun 50% Belt Conference. She is also a very good end the season with 18 victories. free throws: perimeter shooter and the combination of her Included in those 18 victories was the 197th career under 60% % athletic ability and her shooting touch is going to allow her to be very successful at the next level. win for head coach Brian Boyer, making him the winningest head coach in the history of 70-79% Sandy will be able to play either the point or offguard spot in college, said Boyer. Defensively Arkansas State defeated UALR in the reg- Arkansas State women s or men s basketball. 80% opponent free throws: is where she can make an immediate impact at ular-season finale to add the milestone to under 60% the collegiate level; she can defend numerous Boyer s resume, then added a pair of wins in the 60-69% % positions because of her strength and toughness. The quality that you love about Sandy is ing into this season. SBC Tournament to give Boyer 199 wins head- 80% outshoots opponent her leadership ability. Whether on her high The Red Wolves return four players who started outshot by opponent same school team or AAU team, it is obvious that Sandy is a great teammate and a great leader. at least seven games a year ago, including two that started all 32 contests. Senior guard NeNe ASU takes: As a junior at Mountain View, Flanery averaged Hurst and junior guard Quinishia McDowell both under 50 FGA points in the playoffs to lead the Yellowjackets to the Class 3A State Champi- year ago, with Hurst leading ASU in scoring on drew starts in every game for the Red Wolves a FGA FGA FGA onship. Named the Most Valuable Player of the the season. more rebounds Class 3A state tournament, Flanery helped less rebounds Mountain View to a 32-2 record on the season even rebounds has more o-boards has less o-boards while averaging 19 points and six rebounds. She also holds state record in football for the most points scored, most extra points and most same o-boards field goals by a female. A member of the MVHS has players foul out softball team and an honor roll scholar, Flanery opponent players foul out is the daughter of Jimmy and Linnay Flanery and has technical fouls opponent technical fouls is coached by Steve Ross. She plans to major in Sports Medicine at ASU A-State Women s Basketball 4

5 Hurst was named preseason first-team All-Sun Belt Conference heading into the season. An All-SBC Tournament selection a year ago after leading ASU to the semifinals, Hurst scored a team-best 11.8 points-per-game. One of the top rebounding guards in the league, she averaged 6.1 boards per game to rank second on the team and 17th overall in the Sun Belt. She led the Red Wolves in steals at 2.3 per game, a figure that also ranked second in the league and 95th nationally. Hurst enters her senior season ranked 20th at ASU in career scoring, 19th in career rebounding, 13th in career assists, ninth in career steals, 12th in blocked shots and 13th in three-pointers made. NeNe was selected first-team all conference and she s very deserving, said Boyer. I think when it s all said and done she is a player that could be a candidate for player of the year. Very few players in this league impact every phase of 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, 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 the game like she does. NeNe could be your and certainly the way she shot the ball; you saw season due to injury. Qedan averaged 19 leading scorer, your leading rebounder and at times your best defender. She s just a very good all-around player. McDowell was third on the Red Wolves team in scoring a year ago, averaging 10.2 points-pergame, scoring in double figures 18 times and posting two double-doubles. She was also third in steals at 1.9 per game, a figure that ranked seventh in the SBC. Q is a player that brings experience, being a two-year starter for us, said Boyer. I was really pleased with her off-season this year. She came ASU INDIVIDUAL GAME LEADERS 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 32 games and averaging 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. Expected to be ASU s main threat in the paint, she is also a threat from behind the three-point line and shot a team-best.433 from 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 outside the arc a year ago. She scored a careerhigh 19 points, including the game-winning She s a very gifted player. With her it s like a shoot the three and can score with either hand. SCORING No. Games Meghan Lewis Jane Morrill three-pointer with less than a second remaining freshman year and it s like starting from scratch Ashley Olvera to give ASU a victory at FIU Jan. 5. with the understanding of what we re trying to do, Jane certainly came on the scene in a big way but talent-wise, she brings a lot to the table. FIELD GOAL PCT. (5+ Att.) No. Games last year as a freshman, and we re going to lean Guard/Forward Olivia Maddox also redshirted Meghan Lewis on her very heavily this year, said Boyer. Last last year after suffering an injury and will have Jane Morrill year she played minutes a game, and this four years of eligibility remaining. Maddox Averaged FREE THROWS MADE No. Games year she s going to play minutes during 6.7 points, 2.0 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 Jane Morrill the first minutes of the game. We re going steals and 0.8 blocks per game as a senior at Andi Watson to need her out there a lot. Where she s going to Millington (Tenn.) Central High School and is expected to see significant playing time this year. help this team is her scoring ability, not only in REBOUNDS No. Games Jane Morrill the post, but her ability to step out and shoot the Olivia has a very good future here and can help Ashley Olvera three. She s a very dangerous, very versatile offensive this team this year, said Boyer. She s a very player. good rebounder with a very good knack for the Mekena Randle Andi Watson Junior Andi Watson played in 26 games for the Red Wolves a year ago, starting in 10 of those ASSISTS No. Games Quinishia McDowell contests and averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. Ashley Olvera Last year Andi went from freshman not playing STEALS No. Games to a sophomore that kind of bounced around a Quinishia McDowell lot, said Boyer. From starting to not starting, to Ashley Olvera not playing much, to playing a lot. What I m seeing BLOCKS No. Games right now is more consistency. It starts with Jane Morrill her defensively; she capable of being our best A-State Women s Basketball 5

6 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. 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. 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 Last year at PSC, Olvera earned second-team Kieanna is probably the most versatile of all of Jan. 14. Sun Belt Conference opponents 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 year at the point spot, said Boyer. She is very 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, 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 Center advanced to the championship 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 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. said Boyer. When you re talking travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for a regional 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 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

8 #2 n Hanna Qedan n 5 11 n Fr. (RS) n G n Farmington, Arkansas Points FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds at Charlotte 11/13/11 Assists Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 Points FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds at Charlotte 11/13/11 Assists Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 8

9 #3 n Lunden Roberts n 5 8 n So. (TR) n G n Batesville, Arkansas Points FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 Rebounds at Charlotte 11/13/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 Points FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 Rebounds at Charlotte 11/13/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 9

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

11 #11 n Jane Morrill n 6 1 n So. (1L) n F n Scott City, Missouri Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Att ,twice FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals at Charlotte 11/13/11 Blocks at Charlotte 11/13/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 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 , four times FT Att vs. ULL 1/12/11 Rebounds vs. FAU 1/8/11 Assists , eight times last, at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals vs. Western Kentucky 3/7/11 Blocks vs. FAU 1/8/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 11

12 #12 n Ashley Olvera n 5 8 n Jr. (TR) n G n McKinney, Texas Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Points vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 3FG Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 12

13 #13 n Quinishia McDowell n 5 8 n Jr. (RS, 2L) n G n Monroe, Louisiana Points at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 FT Made vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 FT Att vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Rebounds vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals at Charlotte 11/13/11 Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 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

14 #20 n Meghan Lewis n 5 8 n Sr. (3L) n G n St. Louis, Missouri 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 vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Assists vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Steals , twice Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 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

15 #21 n NeNe Hurst n 5 10 n Sr. (RS, 3L) n G n St. Louis, Missouri Points FG Att Rebounds Assists Minutes 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

16 #23 n Jasmine Hunt n 6 2 n Fr. n F n Houston, Texas Points at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 Rebounds , twice Assists Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 Points at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 Rebounds , twice Assists Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 16

17 #31 n Laura Reel n 6 2 n Fr. n F n Wagoner, Oklahoma Points FG Att Rebounds Assists Minutes , twice Points FG Att Rebounds Assists Minutes , twice A-State Women s Basketball 17

18 #32 n Olivia Maddox n 5 11 n Fr. (RS) n G/F n Millington, Tennessee Points FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 Rebounds Assists Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/11 Points FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 Rebounds Assists Minutes vs. TAMUCC 11/20/ A-State Women s Basketball 18

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

20 #40 n Andi Watson n 5 8 n Jr. (2L) n G n Jonesboro, Arkansas Points at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Made at Charlotte 11/13/11 FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 3FG Att at Charlotte 11/13/11 FT Made , twice FT Att , twice Rebounds at Charlotte 11/13/11 Assists at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals at Charlotte 11/13/11 Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/11 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 vs. SMU 11/26/10 Assists , twice last at Charlotte 11/13/11 Steals , twice last vs. Ga. Southern 11/27/10 Blocks vs. UTA 12/15/09 Minutes at Charlotte 11/13/ A-State Women s Basketball 20

21 #42 n Kieanna Wharton n 6 1 n Fr. n F n Indianapolis, Indiana Points FG Att Rebounds Assists Minutes Points FG Att Rebounds Assists Minutes A-State Women s Basketball 21

22 Ex.1 Christian Brothers at Arkansas State ASU Convocation Center (10,727) November 1, 2011 Jonesboro, Ark. Ex.2 Maryville at Arkansas State ASU Convocation Center (10,727) November 7, 2010 Jonesboro, Ark. 1 Arkansas State at Charlotte Halton Arena (9,105) November 13, 2011 Charlotte, N.C. 2 TAMUCC at Arkansas State ASU Convocation Center (10,727) November 20, 2011 Jonesboro, Ark A-State Women s Basketball 22