GREENWOOD, SC - Grahm Smith and the Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball team will open their season in Greenwood, South Carolina, this week, as they take on USC Aiken and Lander in the PBC/SAC Challenge. Last season, Smith led the Bears to a 22-9 (16-4 SAC) record and their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

"I am really excited about the team that we have and could not be more exciteted to officially tip off the 2024-25 season with this special group of young women," stated coach Smith. "We have a great group of experienced players returning along with some key additions with transfers and freshman that I'm really excited about. This group has really come together and continues to grow and work to get better every single day."

The Bears open play on Saturday at 3 p.m. with a matchup against USC Aiken, who finished last season 5-23 and were picked to finish 10th in the PBC Preseason Coaches Poll. On Sunday, LR is set to face off against the host Lander, who were 19-11 last year and were selected to finish seventh in the PBC Preseason Coaches Poll.

THE FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 9^th
3:00 PM: USC-Aiken vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
5:00 PM: Lander vs. Carson-Newman
 
Sunday, November 10^th
12:00 PM: USC-Aiken vs. Carson-Newman
2:00 PM: Lander vs. Lenoir-Rhyne

Following their successful season last year, Lenoir-Rhyne was projected to finish third in the SAC by the conference coaches, garnering four first-place votes. Voted on to the SAC Preseason All-Conference First Team was the ultra talented duo of Blaikley Crooks and Emily Harman. Crooks and Harman were First and Second Team All-SAC selections respectively last year and combined to score nearly 29 points per game. Listed as players to watch for the Bears are Alexandra Merceron, Tilda Lindstroem, and Vanessa Jurewicz. A key piece this season will also be UVA Wise transfer Sarah Burton, who started in every game and averaged 12.5 ppg for the Cavaliers.

Another milestone to note is Head Coach Grahm Smith currently sits at 198 wins across his coaching career, which includes stops at Dean, Williams Peace, and now Lenoir-Rhyne. Two wins this weekend would put him at 200 for his career, and 65 at Lenoir-Rhyne. 

"I, along with my team, are excited and ready to get the season started. The chemistry and connections that this team has built together so far has been fun and exciting to be a part of, and I'm ready to see what this year will hold for this special group," said Smith.