Nov. 14, 2005

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - -- Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis takes another young squad into the 2005-06 season, opening the season with an exhibition game against the Houston Jaguars.

Southern Miss returns only five letterwinners from a 9-19 squad, including three starters. The team features one junior, five sophomores and five freshmen. The Lady Eagles will be with out the services of sophomore forward Emer Foley, who injured her right knee during preseason workouts, for the entire season. Foley posted impressive numbers in the last 12 games of the 2004-05 season, averaging a double-double (16.3 points and 11.2 rebounds). Sophomore Shannon Stueber led the team averaging 15.1 points last season.

Also returning are sophomores Liz Biland (6.7 points/4.8 rebounds), Kelsey Gurganus (3.2 points/2.4 rebounds) and Hallie Prest. Prest could miss up to five weeks following hip surgery to repair some torn cartilage in her left hip. Biland, who is serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules, will miss the exhibition game.

McNelis and her staff welcome six newcomers, junior Kristin Chaney, freshmen Ashley Boehnel, Amber Eugene, Ashley Harrell, Rachael Manuel and Kendra Reed.

The Houston Jaguars are coached by Ray Lewis III and are a traveling team, based out of Houston area, with WNBA and former collegiate stars.

Following the exhibition, Southern Miss officially begins the 2005-06 season, hosting Southern Utah, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.