Oct. 27, 2009

Richardson, Texas - West Texas A&M is favored to win the South Division, while Central Oklahoma is the top pick in the North Division as the annual Lone Star Conference women’s basketball preseason polls were announced on Tuesday.

The Lady Buffs have claimed four-consecutive South Division crowns and the last two conference championships, while the Bronchos won their second straight North Division title in 2009.

The LSC has 15 teams set for this season and the league races should be as close as ever with several teams set to challenge UCO and WTAMU. The season begins November 15.

Here’s a closer look at what the voters had to say about LSC women’s basketball in 2009-10:

SOUTH DIVISION

After a memorable 2008-09 campaign, West Texas A&M is favored to win the Lone Star Conference South Division this season, according to the league’s annual women’s basketball preseason polls.

The Lady Buffs (28-6 overall, 10-2 LSC) won South Division, LSC Championship and South Central Regional titles to earn a spot in the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1997 and fourth time in school history last season.

WTAMU received nine of the 21 first-place votes and totaled 124 points as the top pick in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.

Tarleton State was picked second in the poll, with four first-place votes for 110 points to edge Abilene Christian in third with four first-place nods and 108 points. In fourth was Angelo State with 93 points and two first-place votes.

Rounding out the poll was Texas A&M-Kingsville in fifth with 80 and the remaining two first-place tallies, Midwestern State sixth with 45 and Eastern New Mexico seventh with 28.

NORTH DIVISION

Central Oklahoma is the top choice in the Lone Star Conference North Division after winning its second straight divisional title with a 13-1 record last season, according to the preseason polls.

The Bronchos coming off a record-setting 27-6 season have three starters and five letterwinners back from last year’s squad that won the LSC North and made it to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16.

UCO collected 17 of 21 first-place votes and tallied 164 points as the top team in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.

Southeastern Oklahoma finished second with two first-place nods and 138 points, while Northeastern State was third with the remaining two first-place votes and 125 points.

Texas A&M-Commerce was fourth with 100 points, followed by Texas Woman’s fifth with 97, East Central sixth with 56, Southwestern Oklahoma seventh with 40 and Cameron eighth with 36.