FULL SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE RELEASE
ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Coker University women's basketball team was picked eleventh in the 2020-21 preseason coaches' poll, announced by the league today (Wednesday, Nov. 4).
Carson-Newman was picked atop the poll with 149 points and seven first-place votes, while Anderson (S.C.) was picked second with 141 points and four first-place votes. Catawba was tabbed third with 134 points and the two remaining first-place votes, while Wingate was slated fourth with 116 points. Newberry was picked fifth with 100 points, while Lincoln Memorial was sixth with 94 points. Tusculum was picked seventh with 93 points, while league newcomer Limestone was slated eighth with 87 points. UVA Wise was picked ninth with 77 points, while Lenoir-Rhyne was tabbed 10th with 67 points. Coker (45 points), Queens (N.C.) (41 points) and Mars Hill (26 points) rounded out the poll.
The Cobras picked up 10 wins last season, including seven wins in the South Atlantic Conference. After dropping a close season opener at Mount Olive on Nov. 9, Coker rebounded to win its next two games over Erskine (Nov. 16, 66-48) and Converse (Nov. 19, 73-50). The Cobras opened the month of December with a 74-66 win against Mars Hill, before closing the month and the 2019 portion of the schedule with an 80-63 win against Paine on Dec. 31. The Cobras were able to close the month of January on a three-game winning streak, with victories coming over Newberry (Jan. 22, 62-50), Lincoln Memorial (Jan. 25, 45-41) and Wingate (Jan. 29, 66-53). Coker continued its winning ways onto Feb. 1 by completing the season sweep over Mars Hill 72-70, before upending Lenoir-Rhyne at home on Feb. 15 59-54. The Cobras closed out the 2019-20 campaign with a 79-73 victory over UVA-Wise on Senior Day. Erin Houser was named to the All-Conference Second Team at the conclusion of the season.
The Cobras return their two of their top scorers from a season ago in Saquita Joyner (9.7 PPG) and Ashauntee Nelson (8.5 PPG), while Joyner was also one of the team's top rebounders a season ago. This will also be the first season for new Cobras head coach Melissa DeVore.
The Cobras open the season on Saturday, Nov. 21 at home when they welcome Carson-Newman. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.