Women's Basketball 11/4/2019 12:00:00 AM

Mount St. Mary's opens 2019-20 Women's Basketball Campaign at #13 Kentucky

MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs. #13 KENTUCKY
Tuesday, November 5 | 7:00 p.m.
Lexington, Ky. | Memorial Coliseum

Mount St. Mary's begins their 46th season of women's basketball competition as they travel to the Bluegrass state for a matchup with #13 Kentucky.

2018-19 RECAP
The Mountaineers are coming off a 15-16 season with an 8-10 mark in Northeast Conference (NEC) play and a trip to the conference semifinals - their first since the WNIT season in 2013-14. Coach Maria Marchesano and squad continued to improve offensively, finishing third in the conference with an average of 66.6 points per game. The 15 victories were also the most for the Mount since the WNIT campaign, and the third time in the past decade the team has earned at least that many.

Following the season, assistant coach Antoine White was promoted to associate head coach.

KEY RETURNEES
11 of 13 players return for this year, providing a veteran presence. All-NEC rookie selection Michaela Harrison is planning to succeed again as a sophomore, following a 13.3 points per game average as a freshman. Rebecca Lee and Jatarrikah Settle provide a solid all-around presence, with Lee's 8.1 points and 7.3 boards a game and a nine point, 6.2 rebound median from Settle. Also key to the Mount's success will be Kayla Agentowicz, who returns for her third season after sitting out last year due to injury. Reliable role players like lone senior Alexis Wooden and junior Bridget Birkhead are also expected to make an impact.

"NEW" FACES
Already on the roster, Kendall Bresee and Aryna Taylor will at last debut for the Mountaineers. Bresee is an Urbana High grad who transferred from George Washington. The junior played two seasons for the Colonials with 128 rebounds and 109 points to her credit. Taylor makes her debut after a greuling two years out with a host of injuries.

Joining them are twins from Australia, Annaliese Watkinson and Mikayla Watkinson. The guards hail from Brisbane where they attended John Paul College.

KEY DEPARTURES
Voids will be felt following the graduation of All-NEC Second Teamer Juliette Lawless, who led the team in PPG. Daly Sullivan, who played in 31 games with 20 starts, also departs after two seasons.

NEC PRESEASON POLL
The Mount was picked to finish tied for third in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll, announced in New York this past October 23rd. Last year's champion Robert Morris was tabbed the favorite, receiving a unanimous ten first-place votes, while reigning runner-up Saint Francis U was picked second.

SCOUTING KENTUCKY
The Wildcats are coming off a 25-8 (11-5 SEC) season, culminating in a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky has reached new heights under 14-year head coach Matthew Mitchell, which includes three trips to the Elite Eight. Returning for UK will be Rhyne Howard, who led the team with 16.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest, and two more starters. But the team will need to make up for Maci Morris, who partnered with Howard as a second scoring threat with 15.1 PPG.

Mount's offense will be challenged by Kentucky's ability to defend. The Wildcats held opponents to 59.2 points per game a season ago, good for fourth best in the SEC and 52nd in the country.

LOOKING AHEAD
Tuesday's contest is the first of two matchup against Top 25 competition. On Thursday (Nov. 7), the Mountaineers will challenge #24 Indiana in Bloomington. The team will debut at home in its third game (Nov. 11) versus Frostburg State.

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