University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Has Sneak Preview For The Public
11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Lady Eagle basketball fans can get a sneak preview of the 2006-07 Lady Eagles basketball team on Thursday, when Southern Miss hosts Delta State in an exhibition game at 7 p.m., in Reed Green Coliseum. Admission is free to the public.
This is the first of two exhibition games for the Lady Eagles this season, who return five letterwinners, including four starters from last year's team that finished with a 14-15 record.
"We have made a lot of strides and have gotten better," Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "Our young players, in particular, Anna Patterson and Lauren Pittman, with them playing everyday against those guys have made tremendous strides as freshmen."
Heading the list of returnees include lone senior Kristin Chaney, junior Liz Biland, sophomores Kendra Reed and Amber Eugene. Also returning from last year is sophomore Rachael Manuel and redshirt sophomore Emer Foley.
Chaney led the team in assists last season, averaging 5.3 per game, and also led the team in minutes played. She dished out a career-best 12 assists against East Carolina.
Reed, who earned second team All-Conference USA honors, averaged a team-best 15.6 points per game. She was named C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year after averaging 33.9 minutes per game. She finished in double-digit scoring 22 times, including a career-high 31 points against UAB.
Biland, the only junior on the squad, returns after playing in 27 games last season. Biland comes in with the most experience of any player on the team. She averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds and led the team in field goal percentage.
Eugene returns after a stellar freshman campaign. She led the team in rebounding, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. She also was one of four players averaging in double-figures with a 10.8 per game average.
Foley sat out last season, recovering from preseason knee injury. Foley finished the 2004-05 season averaging 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds. She averaged a double-double in her last 10 games as a freshman.
McNelis welcomes four newcomers to the squad, freshmen Nora Brooks of Rhinehart, La., Anna Patterson of Sumrall, Miss., and Lauren Pittman of Waynesboro, Miss. Also joining the newcomers is transfer Stephanie Helgeson of River Ridge, La. Helgeson transferred from Purdue and will have to sit out the 2006-07 season to satisfy NCAA transfer requirements.
Southern Miss opens the regular season on the road at Birmingham-Southern on Nov. 10. The Lady Eagles then return home to host Stephen F. Austin, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m.
Season tickets remain on sale for the 16-game home schedule and are $55. Faculty and staff season tickets are $45. Youth seasons tickets are available for $20. Also available are senior season tickets for $35. Single-game tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youths. For additional ticket information, contact the Southern Miss ticket office at (601) 266-5418.
