NORTHEASTERN STATE (0-0) vs. WICHITA STATE (0-0)
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 | 6 p.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena
TV: Not Televised OPENING TIP
Wichita State faces Northeastern State in exhibition to soft launch the 2024-25 women's basketball season inside Charles Koch Arena with year two of the Terry Nooner era set to officially begin Monday, Nov. 4 against Oklahoma Christian. The exhibition game will not be televised, but fans can listen at GoShockers.com/Listen.
 
With nine newcomers on the team, the Shockers return 37.6 percent of their scoring. Sophomore Salese Blow is back for her sophomore season after leading Wichita State in scoring during conference play, averaging 13.5 points per game in the AAC and 12.3 points per game overall. Redshirt-junior Jayla Murray is back and better than ever after a summer spent in the gym and improving her nutrition. Further removed from her ACL injury, Murray, who averaged 7.1 points per game a season ago, is playing with more confidence. The Shockers added only two true freshmen to the roster in Fiona Diomande (France) and KP Parr (Texas).
 
SCOUTING THE RIVERHAWKS
Led by second-year head coach Keith Ferguson, the Riverhawks are coming off a 14-15 season where they fell in the first round of the MIAA tournament. Senior forward Courtney Lee is NSU's top returner, averaging 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 2023-24. Lee was named All-MIAA Honorable Mention, finishing in double figures in 18 games. Northeastern State was picked ninth of 14 teams in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll and 10th in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll. The Riverhawks dropped its Oct. 18 exhibition to Arkansas 88-54. Grace Abercrombie was the lone Riverhawk to score in double figures, tallying 12 points.
 
NOT SO NEW-COMERS
Between the nine new additions to the 2024-25 Wichita State roster, they combine for 20 years of collegiate basketball experience. Nooner brought in three Division I transfers: Taylor Jameson from George Mason, Aicha Ndour from Illinois and Bre'Yon White from TCU.
 
Princess Anderson (Pratt CC), Kyleigh Ortiz (Coffeyville CC), Jasmine Peaks (Indian River State), and Maimouna Sissoko (Cloud County CC) all transferred from junior colleges, joining Jayla Murray (Florida SouthWestern State) and Ornella Niankan (Odessa College) to make six Shockers who began their careers in the NJCAA.
 
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR
The Shockers' roster features international athletes from five different countries, including Canada (Ornella Niankan), France (Fiona Diomande), Mali (Maimouna Sissoko), Mozambique (Carla Budane), and Senegal (Aicha Ndour).
 
#MOREBOBO
Salese Blow, nicknamed BoBo by her mom when Salese couldn't pronounce the L in her last name as a kid, enters her sophomore season after claiming three American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week awards in 2023-24. As a freshman, she increased her scoring from non-conference to conference play, leading the Shockers in points per game against AAC opponents with 13.5. She recorded 21 double-figure scoring games with five 20+ point performances.
 
SUMMER WELL SPENT
The Shockers embarked on a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands from July 28-August 2, where they played two games against Canadian team, Regina. The trip allowed the team to bond and experience a different culture, growing as a unit on and off the court. Wichita State won the first game 81-76 and the second game 69-60.