RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Oklahoma Baptist women's basketball team was selected to finish fifth in the Western Division of the Great American Conference Preseason Pollsfor the upcoming 2020-21 season set to begin on Jan. 7.
OBU received eight total votes as first-year head coach
Bo Overton takes the reins of the program and will look to make a splash in his first year in the league. The Bison will open up against the Western Division favorite, as well as the overall favorite and defending GAC champion, Southeastern Oklahoma State, inside the Noble Complex.
The Bison return seven players to their roster in 2020-21 including three starters in seniors
Jaylin Stapleton andÂ
Charissa Price, as well as sophomoreÂ
Kalifa Ford.
Southeastern received 23 total votes and four first place votes as well as four votes to repeat as GAC champion. Southwestern Oklahoma State also received 23 votes to go with three first place votes. Southern Nazarene was third with 17 votes followed by East Central with 13 votes. Northwestern Oklahoma State was picked sixth with six votes.
In the Eastern Division, Harding was picked at the favorite with 24 total votes and two first place votes as well as four votes to win the GAC Championship. Arkansas Tech was second with 22 votes and two first place votes followed by Henderson State and Southern Arkansas with 15 votes each and Arkansas-Monticello and Ouachita with seven votes each.
The league's basketball season will feature a 20-game divisional schedule.
While no conference-wide policy has been adopted regarding attendance, OBU Athletics anticipates limiting capacity at the Noble Complex to 25 percent for the upcoming basketball season. Season ticket holders will be given first priority for any seating opportunities and will receive additional information via email regarding their options.
Â
