Bolivar, Mo. — After months of anticipation and off-season training, Southwest Baptist University's Women's Basketball team returns to the spotlight this week. Over the next week and a half, the Bearcats will open their season with two home games. This year, the women's basketball team is led by third year head SBU coach Wyketha Harrell. Coach Harrell is joined on the bench by first year assistant coaches Jaleesa Dillard and Lola Reed. 
 
The team consists of 14 total players, with five returners and nine newcomers, offering a healthy variety. Two of those are seniors in Zaakyaa Young and Natalia Crooke who both offer strong aspects on offense and defense. The other three returners are Eviyon Richardson (Jr.), Carolina Crawford (Jr.), and Nahia Esanola Agaen (So.). Bearcats also added in transferred of Claudia Diez Sancho (Jr.), Tinu Fakunle (Jr.), Reagan Wells, (So.), Gwyneth O'Connell (So.), Ida Lusadisu N'Gonda (Jr.), Kamiyah Hurd (Jr.), and Carlota Aliaga Alonso (Jr.). Two freshmen join the squad for their first time in college, Clara Enrich Tasias & Alice Woodward. 
 
The women's basketball team kicks off the season against Ozark Christian College (OCC) this Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Meyer Wellness Center.The Bearcats hold a four game win streak against the OCC Ambassadors, having never lost to the team in program history. The Bearcats look to open the season with their fifth double-digit win against OCC.

Carrying the momentum into the next week, the Lady Bearcats will play their second home game Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m.. This subsequent game is against the Emporia State University Hornets (ESU). This will be the first matchup against ESU since 2019, the year SBU officially left the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). At that game, the Bearcats lost by three points to their old conference rival. SBU hopes to upset the Hornets and secure an ideal 2-0 start to the season. To keep up with the team and all SBU Athletics, please visit sbubearcats.com, or follow our Instagram to find up-to-the-minute updates and daily content.