LADY RAMS PICKED THIRD
October 24, 2006

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University women’s basketball team was picked third in the Red River Athletic Conference coaches’ poll which was released earlier today.

In the RRAC coaches’ poll, head coaches ranked teams from 1-10 with 10 points for the team picked to finish first, nine points for the team picked second, etc.  Last season’s conference champion, Houston Baptist University topped the poll with 96 points and seven of a possible ten first place votes.

Langston University, which is back after a year’s absence from the conference was picked second at 85 points.  The Lady Rams were picked third at 76 points including one first place vote.

The Lady Rams are coming off their third consecutive season of 15 wins or more.  This season, they feel they have the right mix of veteran leadership and incoming talent to make a push to the top of the conference standings.

Nastassia Brown will be a major part of that effort.  Brown, a 5-9 Sr., is back after a red shirt season.  In 2004-05, she helped the Rams to its first NAIA National Tournament appearance, ranking second on the squad with 10.4 points per game.  Pilar Pinkus will add veteran leadership after a strong junior campaign.  Sophomore Sheleatha Simmons will also be looked to for leadership on the floor after seeing action in all 30 games as a freshman.

Head Coach Stacy Francis has brought in a recruiting class that features size and talent.  She has added a pair of scoring threats in Kim Gatlin and DeLisa Williams as well as an inside presence in Keegan Harry.

The Lady Rams will open their season at home on November 2, when they host Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College.  That game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.

2006-07 RRAC Coaches’ Poll

School (First Place Votes)                                 Total Points

1.   Houston Baptist University (TX) (7)                        96                                                        

2.   Langston University (OK) (2)                                  85

3.   Texas Wesleyan University (1)                                 76

4.   Texas College                                                          57

5.   Bacone College (OK)                                              55

6.   Huston-Tillotson University (TX)                              46

7.   Jarvis Christian College (TX)                                    44

8.   Wiley College (TX)                                                  40

9.   Southwestern Assemblies of God Univ. (TX)            30

10. Paul Quinn College (TX)                                          21