The Kentucky State University women's basketball team kicks off their exhibition schedule 7 p.m. Wednesday against Wright State University at the Nutter Center. The two teams played last season in a regular season game with the Raiders posting the 83-53 victory.

GAME NOTES (PDF) | LIVE STATS

GAME NOTES

CONFERENCE INFORMATION: The Kentucky State University women's basketball team was picked to win the West Divison of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Thorobreds were followed by Tuskegee, Central State, Lane, Miles, LeMoyne Owen and Spring Hill.

Nationally ranked Benedict was picked to finish first in the East Division, followed by Clark Atlanta, Savannah State, Paine, Albany State and Fort Valley State. 

PRESEASON HONORS: Senior Jessie Kee earned preseason second team All-SIAC honors. Kee finished second on the team, and 16th in the conference, in scoring with 11.6 points. She was third on the team with 6.2 boards.

RETURNING PRODUCTION.: Despite losing leading scorer and rebounder, Brooke Wallace, the 'Breds return six players that started at least 10 games a season ago, including junior Erica Jones – who averaged 10.0 points per game in starting 20 contests. 
    Additionally, four of the top five scorers and three of the top five rebounders return for the Thorobreds. 

HELLO NEW FACES: Despite returning a lot of weapons for last season, Kentucky State went out and retooled with five transfers and a true freshman. Senior Victoria Blankenship comes from D2 Oklahoma Baptist, where she averaged 15.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. 
    Additionally, the Thorobreds welcomes a pair of Division I transfers Carnethia Brown (Alabama A&M) and Deja Antoine (Florida A&M).

FINALLY: Junior Taylore Gotcher is ready to contribute after watching her teammates advance to the SIAC championship game. A midseason transfer, Gotcher sat out the second half of the season.

THE GIFT OF GIVING: Senior guard Amani Williams returns after leading the team with 107 assists last season. She was one of three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference players with more than 100 assists a season ago. 

WELCOME BACK: Junior guard Khaliah Herbert returns to action after getting injured during the 11th game of the season. She started 10 of the team's first 11 games before getting injured.