Coming off a big, 70-69 win over No. 12 Central Oklahoma, the Pittsburg State women’s basketball team may be flying pretty high right about now.
Now, the Gorillas (1-0) head to Denton, Texas for the DFW Marriott Champions Circle Pioneer Premiere, hosted by Texas Woman’s University.
Unlike Central Oklahoma — whom the Gorillas have played each of the last three years — Pitt State will have a pair of new opponents on the schedule.
The Gorillas have never played Tarleton State (Texas) nor Texas Women’s in the history of the program.
Pitt State will open the tournament at 5 p.m., today against Tarleton State.
Tarleton State (0-0) returns two starters from a squad that went 16-12 in 2008-09. After losing their two leading scorers, the TexAnns will look to junior Brittnie Haley (returning to the hardwood after a one year absence) and sophomores Shelby Adamson and Tori Skarke to emerge as leaders for the young team.
After a convincing 69-41 win over UT-Dallas — a D-II South Central regional qualifier in 2008-09 — in exhibition.
On Saturday, the Gorillas will switch gears and take on the Pioneers at 4 p.m.
Texas Woman’s (1-0) returns six of the top eight scorers, led by seniors Keshia Bolds, Jessica Durr and Meghan Hashman, from a team that went 16-11 in 2009-10. The 16 wins were the most since 1989 for the Pioneers who were picked to finish fifth in the preseason Lone Star Conference polls.
The Pioneers started the exhibition season strong with a 79-75 upset over Division-I North Texas then followed it with a 98-50 drubbing of LeTourneau. In their regular season opener, TWU edged Harding 74-70 using a balanced scoring attack, with five players in double figures.
Pitt State returns two starters and five letterwinners from last season’s squad that produced one of the best turnarounds in school history. The Gorillas finished third in the MIAA and made it to the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament before their season was ended by Washburn.
In addition, the Gorillas gain back three impact players who were out last season due to ACL injuries and add six new players, two of whom will start the Gorillas season opener.
In three exhibition games against Division I teams from the Big 12 North, the Gorillas had two players average double figures. Freshman Drew Roberts led the team with 12.3 points per game, while senior Nicole McCombs averaged 11.7 ppg. Newcomer Maya Onikute led the team with 5.7 rebounds per game. Onikute also led the team with eight assists over the three games.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140. Follow Morning Sun sports at twitter.com/mssports
