Oct. 10, 2007

Raleigh, N.C. - With the 2007-08 season right around the corner, Bethune-Cookman University women's basketball has been selected to finish 11th in the Preseason Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference poll announced on Tuesday in Raleigh, N.C. The poll was voted on by head coaches and sports information directors around the league.

After finishing 11th last year, the Wildcats have several new faces and the return of key players for the 2007-08 season that has Francis Simmons and his staff so excited about the upcoming season. The return of Keturah Newkirk--the 2005-06 NCAA leader in three-pointers made, is a plus for the Wildcats as well. Her experience is going to be critical after taking last year off due to a medical redshirt.

Coppin State has been tabbed to repeat as regular season champs after collecting 12 first place votes. The Eagles were upset in the semifinals last year of the MEAC Tournament.

Last season Coppin State went 18-0 in MEAC play for the second year in a row. Delaware State, the defending MEAC tournament champion, was predicted to finish second in this year's poll, earning nine first place votes. North Carolina A&T, Morgan State and Hampton complete the preseason top five.

Suber, the 2007 MEAC Player of the Year, earned an All-MEAC first-team selection after averaging 18.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The guard led the MEAC in 3-point field goals made (101) and was second in steals (98). Joining Suber on the preseason All-MEAC first team are Delaware State teammates Raquel Collier and Katreem Palmer.

Collier earned an All-MEAC first-team choice for the third straight year. She led her team in scoring (13.5 ppg) and was among the top fifteen in the MEAC in scoring and field three percentage (.681). Palmer was second on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game and led the team in rebounding with 7.1 per game.

Howard's Shannon Carlisle and North Carolina A&T's Amber Bland round out the preseason first-team. Carlisle led the Lady Bison with 16 points per game and earned the 2007 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honor. She ranked among the top three in the nation with 3.7 steals per game and was also among the top four in the MEAC with 3.4 assists per game. Bland led the conference and was 21st in the nation with 19.6 points per game.

The MEAC women's basketball season tips off with seven of the 12 schools opening up on November 9. The Lady Hornets of Delaware State will begin their season on November 9 at Delaware in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

For additional information about MEAC basketball, log on to www.MEACsports.com and www.MEAChoops.com.