Nov. 17, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team will open the 2005-06 regular season at Miami Friday night in Coral Gables, Fla.

Samford returns three of its five starters from last year. The three returning starters are senior Cora Beth Smith and juniors Veronica Pike and Tish Pilkerton.

Along with the three returning starters, the Bulldogs also return Alex Munday and Chelsee Insell, the top two scorers and rebounders from the 2003-04 squad. Munday and Insell each received medical redshirts last season. Senior Andrea Ward and sophomores Taryn Towns and MaKenzie Spruiell also return to the team from last season. The Bulldogs welcome six newcomers for the 2005-06 season.

Samford won its lone exhibition contest, 65-58, over Alabama-Huntsville on Nov. 10. Samford is coming off a season in which the Bulldogs posted a record of 13-15 overall and 6-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Last season, Miami was 13-16 overall and 4-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Friday night's game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. Central time tip-off.