Bolivar, Mo. – The SBU women's basketball team begins their 2022-23 season this weekend. They will open in the Meyer Center Friday against Trevecca Nazarene and continue on Saturday against Kentucky Wesleyan. The Bearcats hold a 1-0 record over Trevecca after defeating them 67-54 last year and a 0-1 record against Kentucky Wesleyan. Tip-off for Friday scheduled for 6:30 PM and Saturday at 5:30 PM.
 
The Bearcats return to action this year after a strong finish the year prior. They finished the season with an overall record of 16-14 and a 7-12 GLVC record earning them a spot in the conference tournament. Where they then won their first GLVC tournament game in front of their home crowd.
 
"One of our major goals for this upcoming season is to utilize our depth to bring defensive intensity in the full court." Head Coach Kelsey Keizer said, "We hope to be well rounded on the offensive end scoring both inside the paint and shooting the ball well on the perimeter.  We have a unique non-conference schedule that we believe will set us up for success in GLVC play. Our goal is to be playing our best basketball at tournament time."
 
The Bearcats return with Head Coach Kelsey Keizer at the helm for her 9^th season. As well she returns with her partner in crime, Associate Head Coach, Brittney Dukes for her 9^th season.
 
"Coach Dukes has played a major role in the development of our team over the years." Keizer said, "I am so proud to have a former Bearcat on my coaching staff. She is loyal to SBU and is a tremendous role model for our players on and off the court. Our team benefits from her competitiveness and work ethic."
 
Joining the coaching staff this year, as graduate assistant coach, is former star player Kyleigh Vaught. Vaught played for three years as a Bearcat under the direction of coach Keizer and Dukes, earning a spot on the All-GLVC team all three seasons. She currently holds the SBU career record for free throw percentage.
 
The Bearcats return six players including Kelsey Blakemore, Leikyn Walker, Kallyn Stumbo, Emma Perry, Alyssa Williams, and Natalie Basham
 
Sophomore Kelsey Blakemore returns after being named to the All-GLVC freshman team. She finished the season scoring 242 points, shooting 47.9% from the field.
 
One of the two Seniors on the team, Leikyn Walker, returns for her second and final season as a Bearcat. She averaged 2.3 PPG, shooting 36.7% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.
 
Junior Kallyn Stumbo returns to showcase her talent across the board. Stumbo shot 37.2% from the field, while pulling down 85 rebounds and having an assist to turnover ratio of 1.40.
 
Sophomore Emma Perry, started 20 of the 30 games she played in this past season averaging 23.8 minutes per game. She was second on the team in 3-pointers made with 51 total.
 
As well, Senior Natalie Basham and Junior Alyssa Williams return to the team after being injured this past season.
 
The Bearcats also added 9 transfers and two freshmen to the program. The junior transfer's follow: Milena Fromming (Cowley College), Gabby Fuller (Johnson County CC), Karlee Holland (Three Rivers CC), Teagan Brouwer (Cowley College), and Victoria Hamilton (SIU-Edwardsville).
 
Sophomore transfer follows: Kyhlee Massey (Johnson County CC), Jayde Williams (Johnson County CC), Bianca Oliver (East Texas Baptist), and Claudia Vanzant (Ouachita Baptist).
 
Rounding out their newcomers are freshman Kristin Edmonds and Kori Cromer. Edmonds comes from Carterville HS in Illinois and Cromer comes from just up the road, Lebanon HS.