LIVE AUDIO

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State's women's basketball team will take on Georgia Southwestern on Sunday, Nov. 7 in an exhibition contest at 2 p.m. at Pete Matthews Coliseum. Admission is free to the Sunday affair.

The preseason tilt with GSW will also mark the debut of first-year head coach Annette Watts. Watts, who came on board last May, has spent the last nine seasons at Davidson College. A veteran in the coaching ranks, she brings over 20 years of experience to the JSU program.

The Gamecocks return the nucleus of last year's squad, including junior preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Brittany Wiley. Wiley led the squad as a sophomore with a 10.1 scoring mark along with pulling down 5.6 rebounds per contest. Wiley will also have a supporting cast of a pair of seniors in guards Danielle Beneby (5.2 ppg) and Zenobia Pitts (6.9 ppg). Junior guard Destiny Lane will also be looked upon for production from the wing. Amanda McCarthy, a transfer from the University of New Orleans, has come in from day one and impressed the staff. She will be a key contributor to the JSU backcourt. The Boston, Mass.-native is allowed to play immediately this season since UNO dropped its athletic programs to the NCAA Division III level.

A pair of freshmen will vie for spots on the floor this season. Guard Lakeria Crowder joins the Gamecocks after prepping at Overton High School in the Memphis, Tenn. area, which is one of the best programs in the Bluff City area. All five starters off of last year's OHS squad signed with Division I programs. Forward JaDechia Hill will interchange with sophomore Danielle Vaughn in the post. Hill played at Villa Rica High School just across the state line in Villa Rica, Ga. As a senior last season at VRHS, the 5-10 forward posted 23 points and 23 rebounds against Central High School.

Sunday's meeting will be the first between the two programs on the hardwood. GSW, who is a member of the Peach Belt Conference in Division II, finished the 2009-10 season with a 12-16 mark and 7-10 in league games. The Blue and Gold was picked to finish ninth this season in conference.

The exhibition contest will be a tune up for the season opener on Sunday, Nov. 14 against in-state foe Stillman College. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. at Pete Matthews Coliseum. Following the SC game, Jax State will hit the road for four times over the next five games with the other November home match up against Samford on Nov. 23. JSU will trek to Troy and Lipscomb before welcoming its former OVC rival to campus.

Season tickets for the 2010-11 season are on sale now and start at just $60. They can be purchased at the JSU Ticket Office in Kennamer Hall or by phone at 1-877-JSU-TIXX or (256) 782-TIXX.