Preview: 2021-22 Women's Basketball Season

            Conway, Ark. – Coming off a season where they played only 17 games but also won their first game ever in the American Midwest Conference tournament, Central Baptist College women's basketball opens the 2021-22 season tomorrow in Montana against the Fighting Saints of Carroll College. Tip off from the Carroll College PE Center in Helena is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time and links to live coverage can be found on cbcmustangs.com.

            "We did lose a few of our key players," said assistant coach Kory Westerman. "We did pick up some really good newcomers and they've been working hard. We're a lot bigger than we were last year and I think we've got some more depth to come off the bench to really help us. I'm excited for it."

            The group of returners for head coach Lyle Middleton is led by AMC Third-Team selection from last year Alexis Augustus. Augustus was the second-leading scorer and second leading rebounder on the team last year and returns for her fourth and final season with the Mustangs. Joining Augustus amongst the returners are Reagan Roetzel, who was the fifth leading scorer last season, along with Macey Decker, Lydia York, Vicky Duru, Riley Bridges and Bri Wells.

            The newcomers are led by Diana Rivera, a Juco transfer from Hillsborough Community College in Fla., where she was the two-time defensive player of the year in NJCAA Region 8. Joining Rivera a fellow transfers Aminata Seck from Northwest Kansas Tech and Railyn Shelvin from Southern-New Orleans along with true freshmen Cree McLemore from Texas and Manuela Cruz, a Colombia native who played high school basketball at Mayflower.

            "Our goal is always to make the conference tournament," added Westerman. "This year, though, we want to make it to nationals because we have never been there. Also, we want to finish in the top-four in the AMC regular season so that we can host an AMC tournament game."

            The Mustangs were picked to finish fourth by the coaches in the preseason poll released last week. Coach Westerman added: "We've always played in a tough conference. The conference is always improving, but I do think we are better this year than we were last year. As long as we can beat everyone at home and win the ones were supposed to I think we'll be fine."

            To follow women's basketball's progress all season long, be sure to like and follow @gocbcmustangs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.