WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State opens the UNM Thanksgiving Tournament Friday vs. the host school New Mexico at 8 p.m. CT in Albuquerque, N.M. The Shockers will play three games in three days against New Mexico, Illinois and UC Irvine.
On the Air
All three games can be heard locally on the radio via 1330 AM or 98.7 FM with the voice of Shocker Women's Basketball Steve Strain calling the action. Strain begins his fourth season broadcasting games for the women's program.
WSU/UNM Connections
Wichita State senior guard
Diamond Lockhart and New Mexico freshman guard both attended Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas, just not during the same time period. Redshirt senior guard
Jaleesa Chapel and New Mexico freshman Jasmine Smith both attended DeKaney High School in Texas, as well.
Thanksgiving Hoops
Wichita State is participating in a Thanksgiving tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The Shockers were in the Cancun Challenge (2016: 1-2), FIU Thanksgiving Classic (2015: 1-1) and Paradise Jam (2014: 2-1) the previous three years. In all, Wichita State has competed in 22 Thanksgiving holiday tournaments in program history - dating back to 1976.
Catching up with the Lobos
New Mexico is coming off four home wins to start the season. The Lobos have defeated Western Michigan (88-76), No. 16 Marquette (88-87), Northern New Mexico (107-66) and New Mexico State (86-75). The win over No. 16 Marquette was New Mexico's first victory over a ranked opponent since 2010. Jaisa Nunn set a Lobo record with 39 points (14-15 FG) to go with 13 rebounds in the win over Marquette. They followed that performance by setting a school record in the win over Northern New Mexico. UNM's 107 points broke the school record of 106 set in 1979. Cherise Beynon leads a group of five players averaging double-figures at 18.8 points per game. Nunn is posting a near double-double with 17.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Madi Washington (15.0), Tesha Buck (12.8) and Emily Lines (10.0) round out the double-digit scorers.
Wichita State-South Dakota Leftovers
Wichita State saw a familliar face in former assistant coach Bridgette Gordon, who is now an assistant at Tennessee - her alma mater. Senior G
Diamond Lockhart scored a season-high 13 points, marking her first double-digit scoring effort since Jan. 20, 2017 vs. Bradley when she scored 11 points. It matched her season-high in all of 2016-17 as well. Senior F
Rangie Bessard posted her second straight game with 10 or more rebounds, but came up one point shy of a double-double.
The Series with New Mexico
Wichita State and Tennessee have met on the hardwood only two times, with the last time coming November 21, 1998. The Lobos hold a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series, with an average margin of victory of 13.0. Wichita State is 0-2 vs. New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Last Meeting
New Mexico won the last matchup, a 71-57 win in Albuquerque on Nov. 21, 1998.
About the Lobos
Located in Albuquerque, N.M., the University of New Mexico has an enrollment of 28,500 as a member of the Mountain West Conference. New Mexico returns five letterwinners, including three starters off last year's squad that finished 15-15 and 10-8 in the MWC. Returning starters include leading scorer Cherise Beynon, Alex Lapeyrolerie and Mykiel Burleson. Beynon was picked for the Mountain West Conference Preseason Player of the Year, while Tesha Buck earned Mountain West Preseason Newcomer of the Year honors and N'Dea Flye as the Preseason Freshman of the Year. The Lobos were picked to finish fourth in MWC this season. Beynon already ranks in the top 15 for career points, field goals made and attempted, three-pointers made and attempted, assists and steals at New Mexico. In their first four games of the season the Lobos are averaging 92.2 points per game and allowing 76.0. New Mexico has made 43.1 percent of its field goals, while holding opponents to a 39.4 percent clip. Mike Bradbury enters his second season as the head coach and 11th season overall as a head coach. Bradbury has a career record of 197-132.
The Series vs. Illinois
Wichita State and Illinois have met on the hardwood only two times, with the last time coming December 10, 1982. The series is tied 1-1. Wichita State is 0-1 vs. the Fighting Illini on a neutral court.
Last Meeting
Wichita State won the last matchup, a 66-64, win in Wichita.
About the Fighting Illini
Located in Champagne, Ill, the University of Illinois has an enrollment of 44,880 as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Illinois returns nine letterwinners, including all five starters off last year's squad that finished 9-22 and 3-13 in the Big Ten. Illinois returns 97 percent of its scoring from last season, including leading scorers Alex Wittinger and Brandi Beasley. With five newcomers and 11 underclassmen on the roster this season, the Orange and Blue boast one of the youngest rosters in the Big Ten. The Illini are composed of 73-percent underclassmen on the court, meaning redshirt sophomore or younger. Alex Wittinger leads Illinois in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (9.8). Brandi Beasley posts 11.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while leading the team with 15 assists. In their first four games of the season the Fighting Illini are averaging 66.2 points per game and allowing 63.2. Illinois has made 40.7 percent of its field goals, while holding opponents to a 38.4 percent clip. Illinois is opening the Nancy Fahey era of women's basketball this season. A four-time hall of fame inductee, Fahey boasts 737 career victories and led Washington University to five Division III National Championship titles. Fahey was hired as the ninth head women's basketball coach in Illinois history on March 22, 2017.
The Series vs. UC Irvine
Wichita State and UC Irvine have never met in women's basketball. Sunday's matchup will be the first meeting between the two programs.
About the Anteaters
Located in Irvine, Calif., the University of California- Irvine has an enrollment of 32,000 as a member of the Big West Conference. UC Irvine returns five letterwinners, including three starters off last year's squad that finished 5-26 and 3-13 in the Big West. The 'Eaters have a new look this year with 10 newcomers (five true freshmen and five redshirts). All five of the Anteaters' returning redshirts are NCAA Division I transfers. Among the returnees are All-Big West selections Andee Ritter (Honorable Mention) and Brooke Bayman (Freshman Team). Ritter made 87 3-pointers last year, obliterating the previous school record of 64. Bayman tied for 10th among UC Irvine's single-season leaders with 125 assists as a true freshman. UCI was picked to finish eighth in the Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. The 'Eaters collected 24 points to place ahead of Cal State Fullerton (9). In their first four games of the season the Anteaters are 2-2 with wins against Utah State (87-84) and Portland (63-52) and losses to UNLV (54-73) and Idaho State (72-78). UC Irvine is averaging 69.0 points per game and allowing 71.8. They are shooting 38.5 percent from the field and allowing 44.6 percent. The Anteaters don't have a single player averaging double-figures, as six players average between 7.3 and 9.0 points per contest. Jordan Sanders leads the way at 9.0 and Tahlia Garza is pulling down 6.5 rebounds a game. Tamara Inoue is in her second year at the helm of the UC Irvine women's basketball team. She became the ninth head coach in program history on April 20, 2016, after serving five years as an assistant and associate head coach under Mark Trakh at New Mexico State.
Shocker Summary
Wichita State is 0-4 to start the 2017-18 campaign after losses to Creighton (61-66), Oklahoma State (67- 91), South Dakota (48-62) and No. 13/18 Tennessee (56-68). Senior F
Rangie Bessard leads Wichita State in scoring (15.0), rebounding (9.3) and blocks (5) through four games. Senior F
Angiee Tompkins is the only other Shocker averaging double-figures at 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, while shooting a team-best 58 percent from the field. Bessard has scored in double-digits in three of the team's first four contests to open the season. She is far and away the current leader in double-figure scoring games for Wichita State with 48 career games of 10 or more points. Out of those 48 games, she has led the team in scoring 30 times. Bessard picked up her first double-double of the season vs. South Dakota (15 points, 11 rebounds) and 15th of her career. Wichita State is averaging 58.0 points per game and allowing 71.7. Through four games Shocker opponents are shooting 49 percent overall. On the offensive side of the ball, Wichita State is making a shade under 40 percent (37.4) of its shots, including 25.4 percent from long range. WSU has converted on 75.0 percent of its attempts from the free throw line. The Shockers have outrebounded their opponents in two of the first four contests.
Bessard Closing in on 1,000 Points
Senior forward
Rangie Bessard enters the season needing just 83 points to reach 1,000 points in a Shocker uniform. Bessard is looking to become the 20th Shocker to reach the 1,000 point mark. The Rosharon, Texas, native is coming off an all-conference junior campaign where she averaged 17.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Alex Harden
was the last Shocker to reach the milestone in 2015. She left Wichita as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,708 points.
A Shocker Win Would...
... make them 1-4 on the season
... shrink the gap in the all-time series with UT, 2-1
... snap a five-game losing streak, dating back to last season
... make them 1-1 vs. Tennessee in Knoxville
... give
Keitha Adams her first win in the Black & Yellow
... run Adams' career coaching record to 412-250
... make Adams 285-213 at the Division I level
... make Wichita State 571-652 all-time
A Shocker Loss Would...
... drop them to 0-5 on the season
... widen the margin for UT in the all-time series, 3-0
... drop them to 0-2 vs. the Lady Vols in Knoxville
... be their fifth straight loss to open the season
... lower Adams' career coaching record to 411-251
... make Adams 284-214 at the Division I level
... make Wichita State 570-653 all-time
Keitha Adams
A new year era of Shocker women's basketball begins in 2017-18 under new head coach
Keitha Adams. With more than 20 years of head coaching experience, including 16 at the Division I level, Adams will look to bring her winning ways to the Air Capital. The Oxford, Kan., native spent the last 16 years at UTEP where she was responsible for all four UTEP postseason bids (NCAA in 2012 and 2008; WNIT 2016 and 2014) and all four championships (2016 C-USA regular season, 2012 C-USA regular season and conference tournament and 2008 C-USA regular season) in school history. All six Miner 20+ win seasons were during Adams' tenure, including a school-record tying 29 in 2015-16. The only three-time Conference USA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year (2016, 2012 and 2008), in league history, Adams graduated every player who exhausted their eligibility at UTEP during her tenure. UTEP's all-time wins leader (284-209, 16 years), Adams is 411-250 overall as a collegiate head coach (21 years).
Shockers Picked 10th in The American Preseason Poll
Wichita State was picked to finish 10th in its inaugural American Athletic Conference season by the league's coaches, it was announced Oct. 16.
UConn tallied 121 points and 11 of 12 first-place votes. UConn enters the season returning seven letterwinners and four starters, including 2016-17 American Athletic Conference Players of the Year Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson, from last year's squad that went 36-1 (18-0 in The American).
The American enjoyed tremendous basketball success in 2016-17 highlighted by UConn winning an NCAA record 111 consecutive games and advancing to its 10th straight Final Four. Six teams – UCF, UConn, USF, SMU, Temple and Tulane – were selected for postseason play. The Shockers became a member of the conference as a full member on July 1.
All 12 league schools will tip off the conference schedule the final weekend of December.
The 2018 American Women's Basketball Championship will take place March 3-6 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The American Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| School (First-Place Votes) |
Total |
| 1. UConn (11) |
121 |
| 2. USF (1) |
110 |
| 3. Temple |
98 |
| 4. UCF |
91 |
| 5. SMU |
79 |
| 6. Tulane |
73 |
| 7. Memphis |
53 |
| 8. Cincinnati |
50 |
| 9. Tulsa |
43 |
| 10. Wichita State |
31 |
| 11. Houston |
27 |
| 12. ECU |
16 |
Up Next
Following the UNM Thanksgiving Classic, Wichita State returns to Charles Koch Arena for two straight home games beginning with Missouri State on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
