Tulsa Women’s Basketball Team Begins Preseason Practice Today
10/1/2017 2:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Tulsa women's basketball team began the season today with the first team practice on Sunday afternoon at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
"I think the ceiling is very high for this team," Head Coach Matilda Mossman said. "We bring back our point guard and our post players, as well as really good scorers around them. The chemistry on this team is better than it has ever been. They do a lot of things together and they support one another so I'm excited to see how successful we can be this season."
Tulsa returns 10 letterwinners, including four starters, from last year's team, and added three newcomers to the squad. TU has two seniors – Ebony Parker and Erika Wakefield; three juniors – Tatyana Perez, Crystal Polk and Tyjae' Scales; five sophomores – Jasmine Butler, Shug Dickson, Kendrian Elliott, Alexis Gaulden and Addison Richards; and three freshmen – Morgan Brady, Rebecca Lescay and Krystan Vornes on the roster.
Some highlights TU is looking to build off of from last year include the programs' first-ever 100-point scoring game (a 100-92 win over East Carolina), as well as ranking 76th in the nation is fewest turnovers (448), 97th in free throw percentage (72.3) and 98th in three-point field goals made per game (6.6).
A three-year letterwinner, Wakefield has started in 71 of 93 career contests, posting two double-doubles, 35 double-digit scoring games, one double-figure rebounding contest and one double-digit assist game in her career. She averages 8.1 points, 2.7 assists and 2.4 rebounds, while shooing at a 40.5 clip.
The then freshmen were also a bright spot last season, as Dickson and Elliott were tabbed to The American All-Freshman Team, and Dickson, Elliott and Gaulden combined for six Freshman of the Week accolades. Richards finished her freshman campaign ranked second in three-point field goal percentage (.387) and third in games played (31), while Elliott was second in blocks (24), rebounds (220) and field goal percentage (.497), and fourth in free throw percentage (.774) on the Tulsa Freshman Single-Season lists.
"If you look at the top four scorers from last year, Erika led the way and then the other three were freshmen," Mossman said. "I think with that year of experience it has given them even more confidence to be successful in the season ahead."
TU will play a preseason contest against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Nov. 1, before opening the regular season against American University on Nov. 10. Both games begin at 7:00 pm at the Reynolds Center.
Women's season tickets are on sale now for just $50. All tickets are general admission. For season tickets call the TU Athletic Ticket Office at 918.631.GoTU (4688) or stop by the TU Athletic Ticket Office located in the Reynolds Center.
For all Tulsa women's basketball news and information, visit TulsaHurricane.com. Follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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