Oct. 22, 2008

BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar University women's basketball team was tabbed to finish third in the Southland Conference West Division in the 2008-09 Preseason coaches' and sports information director's polls while Brittney Williams and Nikki Williams were named to the SLC preseason first team which was released by the league office on Tuesday.

Lamar received almost identical attention from the coaches and SIDs receiving 48 points and a first-place vote to rank third in the coaches' poll and 47 points to tie for second the SID poll. Second-year head coach Larry Tidwell led Lamar to its first winning season in 13 years posting the most wins in the last 16 seasons with 19. Lamar's title game appearance and two wins in league tournament play are the most by any Lady Cardinals team in school history.

The top two teams in each division automatically qualify for the 2009 State Farm Southland Conference Basketball Tournament March 11-14, at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. The four teams with the best winning percentages round out the tournament's field of eight.

Nikki Williams enters the season as the league's top returning scorer (14.3) and steals leader (67). She ranked sixth in assists per game (3.72) and fifth in three-point field goals made (67). Brittney Williams, a two-time all-conference recipient and 2006-07 SLC Freshman of the Year, is currently 16th on Lamar's career-scoring list (841). In 2007-08 she finished in the top 10 in scoring (12.9, 10th) and field goal percentage (.440, ninth).

The 2008-09 Southland Conference preseason women's basketball teams are comprised of 10 players from seven member institutions. Returning players who were named All-Southland Conference following the 2007-08 season were automatically placed on the 2008-09 preseason teams. Open positions were filled by vote of the league's head coaches.

The Lady Cardinals open the season at home when they take on Grambling State on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Montagne Center. Fans can see the Lady Cards in action a week before their season opener when they host the Houston Jaguars on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.