01 Nov 2023 CBC previews women’s basketball season

CONWAY – Coming off an 11-14 season, Central Baptist College women’s basketball tips off the 2023-24 season tomorrow night at A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse against the Tigers of Champion Christian College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. or 25 minutes after the conclusion of tomorrow night’s volleyball match. 

Seven players return from last year’s team, led by AMC Honorable Mention selection Caroline Citty, who averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in all 25 games last season. Joining her among the returners are Lydia York, Olivia Lambrigtsen, the leading returning rebounder, Rhys Anderson, who led the team in assists, Kristan Hargrove, Tamara Christmas and Maele Van Houtert.

The class of three newcomers is led by Taryanna McNary, a transfer from Coastal Bend College in Texas, who averaged 6.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game to lead her team last year. Joining her in the newcomers are Marina Crespi, a native of Spain who comes to CBC after spending last year and Maine-Presque Isle and Aliya Grotjohn, who joined the team in January after transferring from AMC rival Cottey.

The Mustangs were picked to finish eighth in the AMC Preseason Coaches’ poll, which was released earlier this week. In front of CBC was Columbia, Missouri Baptist, UHSP, Stephens, Williams Baptist, Williams Woods and Cottey.

The Mustangs only play three home games in the fall semester. Following tomorrow night’s game, CBC will be home Nov. 18 against Crowley’s Ridge and Dec. 12 against Baptist Bible. There is another game in Conway as the Mustangs will head over to the Farris Center at UCA for an exhibition on Dec. 20.