DALLAS, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor headlined the coaches/sports information directors’ preseason poll as favorites for the 2025-26 American Southwest Conference Women’s Basketball title, announced Wednesday.
UMHB tallied 27 points with four first-place votes. The Cru notched a 17-9 overall record with a 6-2 conference record last season. UMHB earned a first-round bye in the ASC Tournament last season before falling by one in the semifinal contest.
Hardin-Simmons enters the preseason poll in second place with 23 points and two first-place votes. The Cowgirls logged a 19-8 record with a 4-4 conference record in 2024-25. Hardin-Simmons earned the runner-up title at the ASC Tournament last season.
East Texas Baptist ranked third with 22 points and the final two first-place votes after a 23-5 season with an 8-0 conference record. The Tigers earned the ASC Regular Season title and ASC Champion title last season. Howard Payne stands in fourth with eight points as they went 4-22 overall and 0-8 in conference.
12 student-athletes were tabbed by coaches on the 2025-26 ASC Women’s Basketball Players to Watch List. This group includes the 2024-25 ASC Freshmen of the Year Jaqueline Berry (HSU) and Newcomer of the Year Rachel Okoye (UMHB).
Season play begins on November 7
th for these teams.
2025-26 ASC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2024-25 Record (ASC) |
| 1. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (4) |
27 |
17-9 (6-2) |
| 2. |
Hardin-Simmons (2) |
23 |
19-8 (4-4) |
| 3. |
East Texas Baptist (2) |
22 |
23-5 (8-0) |
| 4. |
Howard Payne |
8 |
4-22 (0-8) |
2025-26 ASC Women’s Basketball Players to Watch
| Name |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Jacqueline Berry * F |
G |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Texhoma, Okla. |
| Tiffany Bickford* |
G |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
San Diego, Calif. |
| Josie Bruder* |
G/F |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Plano, Texas |
| Madison Clay* |
G |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Houston, Texas |
| Caroline Croft |
G |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Bartlett, Ill. |
| Amillion Fowler* |
G |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Houston, Texas |
| Macey Jones |
C |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Tylertown, Miss. |
| Dylan Koele |
G |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Denton, Texas |
| Rachel Okoye * N |
G |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Houston, Texas |
| Caitlyn Panuco* |
G |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Whitney, Texas |
| Caitlyn Parsons |
F |
Fr. |
Howard Payne |
Gordon, Texas |
| Tristan Smith |
F |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Edgewood, Texas |
2024-25 All-ASC Selection *
2024-25 ASC Freshman of the Year F
2024-25 ASC Newcomer of the Year N
Wilson is the official basketball of the American Southwest Conference and its four members.