WICHITA, Ks - Oklahoma Christian will open the 2023-24 season in the Newman Tournament this weekend, November 17th and 18th. They will open the tournament by playing Upper Iowa University Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. Their game on Saturday will depend on the result of the OC game against Upper Iowa and the game between East Central and Newman. 

GAME 1- OC Vs. Upper Iowa - Friday Nov. 17th 5:30 p.m 

GAME 2- OC Vs. East Central/Newman - Saturday Nov. 18th TBD

VENUE- Fugate Gymnasium (Potter Family Court) 

STREAMING- MIAA Network  

RADIO- Newman Jets Audio Network 

LIVE STAT- Live stats for Game 2 - OC vs. UIU 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT OC 

• Head Coach Markeith Brown enters his second season with the Lady Eagles. 

• The Eagles returned nine players from last season including the team's leading scorer and leading rebounder in Brooklin Bain.

• Other key returners are Jordan Francisco, who was a big part of OC winning 6 of the final 7 games. Kate Bradley, who led the Lone Star Conference in three-point shooting percentage, and Daijah Torns, who averaged 7 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal per game. 

• The Eagles were picked ninth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, the second highest preseason voting since joining the conference. 

• The Eagles brought in a few transfers to the rosters. Including some division one talent in Tajanna White and Keira Neal 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT UPPER IOWA

• The Peacocks of Upper Iowa are coming off a season where they finished with an overall record of 10-18 and 6-16 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

• Upper Iowa has just moved from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conferences to the Great Lake Valley Conference.

• Justin Maass is in his second year as the head coach for the Peacocks. 

• In his first season as head coach Maass led the Peacock to their winningest season since 2001-02. Also leading them to a NSIC tournament appearance.

• UIU was picked to finish 11th of 14 teams in GLVC in the preseason coaches poll. 

• The Peacocks are returning six players from last season while adding a senior transfer, Kayla Bohr. 

• The Peacocks opened the season with a win over Graceland 89-54. Katie Tornstrom led UIU in scoring with 22 points. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT EAST CENTRAL 

• The East Central University Tigers finished last season with an overall record of 11-16 and a 8-14 Great American Conference record. 

• Head coach, Heather Hurt is entering her first full season at the position, after taking over the position midway through last season. 

• Last year, the Tigers finished well and claimed the No.7 seed in the GAC tournament and had three players receive All-GAC honors. 

• ECU returns six players from last year's roster and adds seven new players. 

• The Tigers are returning three key scores from last years roster including Mackenzie Crusoe, Kate Ogle, and Kennedy Cummings. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NEWMAN

• The Newman Lady Jets finished last season with an overall record of 10-18 and a 7-15 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association record. 

• Amy Briggs is in her first season as the Jets head coach. 

• Newman was picked to finish last in the MIAA preseason coaches poll. 

• Carissa Beck is the top returner for the Jets. Last season she shot 43% from the three point line.

• The Jets recently played in the Central Region Challenge in Magnolia, AR. Newman finished the weekend 0-2. 

• In the first two game for the Jets Valeriya Lioukina and Amiya Josey had great performance despite the two loses.