ANDERSON, S.C. - With the 2015-16 basketball season quickly approaching, Anderson University women's basketball was listed in the "others to watch" category in the annual Division II Bulletin top-25 poll, announced with the release of the Small College Hoops 2015-16 preseason preview by the publication on Monday.
The Trojans graduated just three players from the 2014-15 squad that claimed the South Atlantic Conference regular-season championship and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. This season, AU is slated to return three of its five starters from a year ago, as last season's team posted 27 wins, the most in the SAC era.
Headlining the group of returners is senior Jasmine Franklin, who landed on the SAC All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Southeast Regional All-Tournament Team towards the end of the 2014-15 campaign. Franklin averaged 14.8 points per game and six rebounds during the Trojans' postseason run, headlined by a 29-point performance against Catawba in the SAC Tournament semifinals. The Simpsonville, S.C. native closed the year ranked fifth in the conference in offensive rebounds (86) and 10th in field goal percentage (45.7).
Also returning the lineup for 2015-16 is senior forward Jennifer Monroe, who averaged just over 8.3 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per contest. Monroe shined throughout the month of January, scoring in double figures in five consecutive games, highlighted by a double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) in front of a national audience on CBS Sports Network against Queens on Jan. 24. The Clemson, S.C. native closed the year ranking second in the SAC in offensive rebounds with 108.
A number of key returners also look to make an impact for the Trojans, as seniors Katie Davis and Madison Floyd have contributed in their previous three seasons, while juniors Heather Jankowy, Nakia Young, Alexis Dillard and Bailey Sims will all compete for starting roles this season. The sophomore duo of Jasmine Raynor and Kaylee Koerperich will provide depth, while a group of four freshmen round out the 2015-16 roster.
Head Coach Jimmy Garrity returns to the sidelines for his third season with the Black and Gold, as he enters the year with a 43-19 (.694) overall record with the Trojans. More impressively, Garrity holds a 22-5 (.814) mark inside the Abney Athletic Center, winning his last nine home contests.
The Trojans open their season on Nov. 8 when they host Clemson in a rare home exhibition against a Division I opponent. Followed by a second exhibition at Western Carolina on Nov. 15, Anderson's regular season begins on Nov. 21 when it seeks a Beville Cup point against archrival Erskine.
Click HERE for the 2015-16 Division II Bulletin Fact Sheet
