DALLAS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons University headlined the coaches/sports information directors’ preseason poll as favorites to repeat as 2024-25 American Southwest Conference Women’s Basketball title, announced Wednesday.
The Cowgirls notched a 26-4 overall record with a 14-2 conference record to finish as Regular Season Champions. After a 10-point victory in the ASC Championship game, they claimed their eighth ASC title. Hardin-Simmons hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA DIII Championship Tournament as they earned wins over Occidental and Trinity. The Cowgirls’ run ended when they fell to New York University, who would go on to win the National Championship. HSU tallied 44 points with five first-place votes.
Mary Hardin-Baylor enters the preseason poll in second place with 40 points and five first-place votes. The Cru logged a 21-7 record with a 12-4 conference record in 2023-24. UMHB earned the runner-up title at the ASC Tournament last season.
East Texas Baptist ranked third with 35 points after a 14-13 season with a 9-7 conference record. Howard Payne stands in fourth with 19 points as they went 9-16 overall and 4-12 in conference. LeTourneau ranks fifth with 12 points after finishing the 2023-24 season 6-19 overall and 3-13 in conference.
UT Dallas will not count in the 2024-25 standings and are ineligible for both the ASC and NCAA Championships due to the Comets reclassifying to NCAA Division II.
16 student-athletes were tabbed by coaches on the 2024-25 ASC Women’s Basketball Players to Watch List. This group includes the 2023-24 ASC Co-Freshmen of the Year Kadia Ward (ETBU) and Madison Williams (HSU).
Season play begins on November 8
th for these teams.
2024-25 ASC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2023-24 Record (ASC) |
| 1. |
Hardin-Simmons (5) |
44 |
26-4 (14-2) |
| 2. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (5) |
40 |
21-7 (12-4) |
| 3. |
East Texas Baptist |
35 |
14-13 (9-7) |
| 4. |
Howard Payne |
19 |
9-16 (4-12) |
| 5. |
LeTourneau |
12 |
6-19 (3-13) |
| $- |
UT Dallas |
-- |
20-6 (12-4) |
$ – Ineligible for ASC and NCAA Championships
2024-25 ASC Women’s Basketball Players to Watch
| Name |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Alex Bowman* |
G |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Kaufman, Texas |
| Jazlyn Braithwaite |
G |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Lubbock, Texas |
| Jaycie Brisco* |
G |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Snook, Texas |
| Josie Bruder |
G/F |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Plano, Texas |
| Trystan Clark* |
G |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Burleson, Texas |
| Jayla Hall* |
F |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Granbury, Texas |
| Payton Hicks* |
G |
Gr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Plano, Texas |
| Haylee Jordan* |
F |
Sr. |
LeTourneau |
Gilmer, Texas |
| Rachel Okoye |
G |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Houston, Texas |
| Caitlyn Panuco |
G/F |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Whitney, Texas |
| Addy Self* |
G |
Jr. |
UT Dallas |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
| Aiken Semones |
G |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
League City, Texas |
| Kynnan Shields |
C |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Shamrock, Texas |
| Tayise Trejo* |
G |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Midlothian, Texas |
| Kadia Ward* F |
G |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Duncanville, Texas |
| Madison Williams F |
PG |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Houston, Texas |
2023-24 All-ASC Selection *
2023-24 ASC Co-Freshman of the Year F
2023-24 ASC Newcomer of the Year N
Wilson is the official basketball of the American Southwest Conference and its six members.