University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces 2015-16 Schedule
9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss women's basketball team announced its 2015-16 schedule today. The Lady Eagles, who finished 25-11 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the WNIT Tournament last season, will open their season with three games as part of the Preseason WNIT.
Five NCAA tournament teams, four additional teams with post season appearances, a trip to Myrtle Beach, road game at Mississippi State and 16 home games highlight the schedule.
"The Lady Eagles will face a challenging schedule in 2015-2016 season," Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "After having a veteran team in 2014-15, the Lady Eagles have only 11 years of Division I experience. We must blend the returners with eight newcomers. Our staff is excited for the challenges we will face. Getting the opportunity to play in the pre-season WNIT is a horror and speaks volumes of where we are headed. This prestigious tournament will require quick growth as a team. The field consists of nine teams that appeared in post season, including Sweet 16 finalists South Florida and Final Four team Baylor."
Southern Miss opens the season with an exhibition game against West Alabama (Nov. 7) before hosting Alabama State in the first round of the Preseason WNIT (Nov. 13) in the annual "School Day" game. The Lady Eagles next two games will depend on the outcome vs. Alabama State.
Southern Miss hosts its annual Thanksgiving Tournament (Nov. 27-28) with Mississippi Valley, Nicholls and Samford. First day match-ups are Southern Miss against Mississippi Valley while Nicholls takes on Samford.
The Lady Eagles will travel to Tennessee Tech (Dec. 2) before returning home for to host South Alabama (Dec. 6) and Ole Miss (Dec. 12). The Black and Gold travels to in-state rival Mississippi State (Dec. 16) before heading to Myrtle Beach to play North Carolina (Dec. 20). After a short Christmas break, the Lady Eagles plays their final non-conference game, hosting William Carey (Dec. 28).
"The development of team chemistry is a must during the months of August -- October," said McNelis. "With so many newcomers that are expected to play a role in our team, patience will be a must. We return only one starter in Jerontay Clemons. Key reserves Brittany Dinkins, Lashyra Cotton, Megan Brown, and Katie Dozier are back. We have `raised the bar' with this group and expect them to lead the newcomers. It is important that we understand `how to be a good teammate.' It is critical that we work hard together daily to produce positive team results."
Southern Miss opens Conference USA play at home against Louisiana Tech (Jan. 2) before hitting the road for a pair of contests at Charlotte (Jan. 7) and a first time tip to Old Dominion (Jan. 9). The Lady Eagles then return home to host Florida Atlantic (Jan. 14) and FIU (Jan. 16). Southern Miss follows with a three-game road swing at Louisiana (Jan. 23), at UTEP (Jan. 28) and at UTSA (Jan. 30).
Rounding out the remaining C-USA slate, the Lady Eagles host North Texas (Feb. 4) and Rice (Feb. 6), then travel to UAB (Feb. 11) and Middle Tennessee (Feb. 13). Southern Miss then hosts UTEP (Feb. 18) and UTSA (Feb. 20) before returning to the road for games at Rice (Feb. 25) and North Texas (Feb. 27). The Lady Eagles conclude the regular season hosting Western Kentucky (Mar. 3) and Marshall (Mar. 5). The Conference USA Tournament is scheduled for Mar. 8-12 with UAB serving as the host.
"C-USA is becoming more challenging with each year," McNelis said. "We believe the 2015-16 season will bring some parity, but with solid transfers and returns, a wealth of experience will lead the attack early. We must take experience from our non-conference schedule and blend quickly as a team."
The complete schedule follows: Nov. 7, West Alabama; 13, Alabama State; 27-28, Southern Miss Thanksgiving Classic; Dec. 1, at Tennessee Tech; 6, South Alabama; 12, Ole Miss; 16, at Mississippi State; 20, North Carolina (Myrtle Beach), 28, William Carey; Jan. 2, Louisiana Tech; 7, at Charlotte; 9, at Old Dominion; 14, Florida Atlantic; 16, FIU; 23, at Louisiana Tech; 28, at UTEP; 30, at UTSA; Feb. 4, North Texas; 6, Rice; 11, at UAB; 13, at Middle Tennessee; 18, UTEP; 20, UTSA; 25 at Rice; 27, at North Texas; Mar. 3, Western Kentucky; 5, Marshall; 8-12, Conference USA Tournament, Birmingham, Ala.
