Hillcat Women Picked Second in SAC Preseason Basketball Coaches Poll

Sierra Cornwell returns for her final season with the Hillcats after being named SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. (Photo by Ryan Weaver)

SHAWNEE, Okla. - The Sooner Athletic Conference Coaches picked the Rogers State women’s basketball team to finish second in the preseason poll released by the league office on Thursday.

The Hillcats garnered one first-place vote and 54 points. RSU returns nine players from last year’s squad that made a run to the NAIA National Tournament quarterfinals. NAIA Honorable Mention All-American and SAC Defensive Player of the Year, Sierra Cornwell, returns for her senior season after shattering the RSU single-season steals record with 117 nabs. Joining her is Claremore native Logan Froese who was named to the NAIA All-Tournament Team last year.

Lubbock Christian took the top spot as the Lady Chaps return three starters from last season’s NAIA Fab Four team. LCU received seven of a possible eight first-place votes (coaches were not allowed to rank their own team) and 63 points. Oklahoma City is ranked third with 51 points and the remaining first-place vote.

Oklahoma Baptist is ranked fourth with 39 points and John Brown holds down the middle position in the nine-team league with 35 points. St. Gregory’s is ranked sixth with 34 points, followed by Wayland Baptist with 25, Mid-American Christian with 15 and USAO with eight.

The regular season tips off Oct. 31 as the Hillcats take on The University of Tulsa in an exhibition at the Reynolds Center at 7 p.m.

2012-13 SAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Lubbock Christian (7)  63

2. Rogers State (1)  54

3. Oklahoma City (1)  51

4. Oklahoma Baptist  39

5. John Brown  35

6. St. Gregory’s  34

7. Wayland Baptist  25

8. Mid-America Christian  15

9. Science & Arts Oklahoma  8