Basketball season tickets are currently available to purchase! Click here to be a part of another exciting @EKUWBB season!

Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | Game Notes

The EKU women's basketball team opens the 2015-16 season Sunday at the University of Richmond. Sunday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The following is a preview of the upcoming season:
 
Every year, every team is different. For the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky, players will have to adjust to new or varied roles than in years past.
 
The Colonels return eight letterwinners from last year's club, including leading scorers Shameekia "Polly" Murray and Michaela Hunter. The duo combined for more than 28 points-per-game. Both were named to the preseason All-OVC team, representing the only duo from any team in the league.
 
"We're expecting big things out of them," Head Coach Chrissy Roberts said of the tandem. "They are two talented players that can bring a lot to the table."
 
Despite returning the potent duo and several veterans, EKU was picked to finish sixth in the OVC in the coaches' poll and the Colonels were tabbed ninth in the preseason media poll. But a deep, talented roster will hopefully help the Colonels reach the conference tournament and make a run it the postseason.
 
Backcourt
 
Murray and Hunter will lead the deep backcourt this season, but the Colonels have a wealth of talent. Juniors Mariah Masssengill, Katie Pippen, Amadi Brooks and Alexus Cooper return for the Colonels this season and will contribute early and often.
 
The veteran foursome saw valuable minutes last season that will pay dividends this season. Each saw action in more than twenty games and accumulated 30 starts during the 2014-15 campaign.
 
Massengill provides a dynamic presence to the floor, averaging 4.6 points-per-game, 1.8 rebounds-per-game and logged 58 assists and 20 steals her sophomore season.
 
Cooper brought productive minutes in her first season back following an injury. She earned nine starts last season, averaging more than 13 minutes-per-game.
 
Pippen and Brooks' efficiency on both sides of the ball gives the Colonels options. Pippen shot 43 percent from the floor last season, including a 4-for-4 performance against Alabama A&M.  Brooks' intensity proved advantageous for the Colonels last season, as she started 11 of the final 12 games. An injury has sidelined Brooks through preseason, but Roberts said she was progressing and is hopeful Brooks will return for conference play.
 
Also adding depth to the group will be junior transfer Zee Willix, along with freshmen Jada Triplett, Ann Jernigan, Shay Solomon and Ashley Johnson. Jernigan and Johnson are also recovering from injuries that will complement the depth upon their return.
 
"We have a very talented, balanced backcourt," Roberts said. "Probably the most talent we've had in a while. We're going to be able to lean on, not just one or two, but several and they're all up for the challenge."
 
Frontcourt
 
Jasmine Henshaw and Miranda Maples both return for their senior seasons. The two combined for more than 36 minutes-per-game last season, along with more than 10 points-per-game. Their experience is valued as they adjust to new roles this season.
 
"They're shooting the ball, rebounding the ball better and finishing better," Roberts said. "You can see some changes being made as far as commitment to themselves and commitment to the team. They all want to have a shot at winning a championship and there's a certain amount of work required to get that done."
 
Joining Maples and Henshaw is junior transfer Jalen O'Bannon. O'Bannon sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, but looks to add an immediate impact for the Colonels.
 
Junior transfer Deja Robinson is also entering her first season at EKU and can likely deepen the Colonels' bench, as well as freshman Abby Wright.
 
"We're working hard," Roberts said. "We we're working hard for each other. We'll take the preseason to iron out any issues and I'm hoping that by the time conference rolls around, we're peaking at the right time."