INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Coming off a 19-10 (15-6 G-MAC) season that saw the Panthers qualify for the semi-finals of the G-MAC tournament, Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball has been picked to finish second in the conference fo the 2022-23 season. 

The Panthers received 129 points, just 15 off Ashland, who was picked to finish first by the coaches. Walsh, who won the G-MAC last season, was seeded third with 110 points.

Head coaches Caleb and Nicole Nieman have a strong group of returners coming back this year. First Team All-Conference honoree Tahlia Walton comes back after averaging a career high 14.8 points/game and 4.8 rebounds/game last season. Second team All-Conference member Cali Nolot returns after a strong 2021-22 season where she averaged 12.3 points/game and 3.5 rebounds/game. Steals machine Shiya Hoosier, fresh off making the G-MAC All-Defensive team, comes back to run the show and cause all sorts of havoc on defense. Making a big jump as a sophomore was Corina Conley, who became a strong shooter from the outside, hitting 37% of her shots from behind the arc. Patrolling the pain will be Jordyn Barga, who led the team with 150 total rebounds on the year (5.2 rpg). Guards Shaylee McDonald, Mariah Edmonds, and Reeva Hammelman all come back after seeing significant time last season. Freshman Hadley Lytton, Myah Montgomery, and Marisa Wirtz all come in looking to make a major impact for a team hoping to make a deep run in the postseason. 

The Panthers get their season started next Friday when they head to Bloomington, Indiana, to take on the #11 Indiana Hoosiers in an exhibition game. Wesleyan opens up their regular season on November 11-12, when they head to Bolivar, Missouri, to take on Drury and Southwest Baptist. 

2022-23 GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Ashland – 144 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Kentucky Wesleyan - 129 points
3. Walsh - 110 points (1 first-place vote)
4. Northwood - 105 points
5. Hillsdale - 91 points
6. Cedarville - 92 points
7. Findlay - 81 points
8. Ursuline - 74 points
9. Malone - 64 points
10. Tiffin - 50 points
11. Ohio Dominican - 34 points
12. Trevecca Nazarene - 27 points
13. Lake Erie - 13 points 

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