COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University women's basketball team will begin the 2021-22 season this weekend at the Southeast Regional Challenge hosted by Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. 

The Lady Cougars will take on Newberry in the season-opener on Friday at 1 p.m. before playing Mars Hill University on Saturday at noon. 

Game Info
Opponent: Newberry College ('20-21: 10-10, 9-9 South Atlantic Conference)
Date: Friday, Nov. 12
Time: 1 PM
Location: Newberry, S.C. (Eleazer Arena)
Coverage: Stats | Video
Tickets: Admission Information

Series History
Overall: CSU leads 2-0
Streak: CSU W2
Last Meeting: CSU 70-59 in Clinton, S.C. (11/19/05)
In Newberry: Never Met

About Newberry
2020-21 Record: 10-10, 9-9 SAC
  (9-1 H, 1-9 A)
Streak: L1
Last Result: L 59-43, at Tusculum University (03/1/21 - SAC Tournament Quarterfinals)
WBCA Coaches Rankings: NR
D2SIDA Rankings: NR
Head Coach: Joanna Tincher (8th season, 60-125, .324%)
  (at NC: 4th season, 42-34, .553%)
Leading Scorer from 20-21: Courtney Virgo, 10.4 ppg
Leading Rebounder from 20-21: Courtney Virgo, 5.5 reb/g 

Newberry Notes
• Newberry was selected ninth in the preseason South Atlantic Conference coaches poll
• The Wolves return three of its top four leading scorers from last season, including Payton Cronen. Cronen was tabbed to the SAC All-Freshman team last year after averaging 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 20 games 
• Newberry was one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the SAC last year, averaging 8.3 made 3's per game. Overall, NC shot 35.3% from beyond the arc
• The Wolves have to replace plenty of minutes on the court as four of the top-seven players in minutes played last year are not on this year's roster
• Newberry has had plenty of success since the early 2000s, with the Wolves posting 17 straight seasons with a record of at least .500 or better

Game Info
Opponent: Mars Hill College ('20-21: 2-18, 2-17 SAC)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 13
Time: 12 PM
Location: Newberry, S.C. (Eleazer Arena)
Tickets: Admission Information

Series History
Overall: CSU leads 2-1
Streak: CSU W2
Last Meeting: CSU 74-53 in Columbus (12/29/12)
On Neutral Court: MHC leads 1-0

About Mars Hill
2020-21 Record: 2-18, 2-17 SAC
  (2-8 H, 0-10 A)
Streak: L7
Last Result: L 64-56, at Anderson University (02/27/21 - SAC Tournament Opening Round)
WBCA Coaches Rankings: NR
D2SIDA Rankings: NR
Head Coach: Briana Clark (3rd season, 6-42, .125%)
Leading Scorer from 20-21: De'Ja Marshall, 20.6 ppg
Leading Rebounder from 20-21: De'Ja Marshall, 12.7 reb/g 

Mars Hill Notes
• Mars Hill was picked 13th in the preseason SAC coaches poll
• The Lions do have one of the best post players at the NCAA DII level in De'Ja Marshall. Marshall was sixth in the nation in rebounding (12.7 reb/g) and second in double-doubles (14). She was named to the preseason All-SAC team
• Mars Hill has lost 22 straight away from its home court
• Opponents averaged over 83 points per game versus Mars Hill last year, the highest-scoring average against in the SAC
• Mars Hill is looking for its first winning season since going 15-13 in 2015-16. Since then, MHC is 16-113 over the last five seasons

About Columbus State
2020-21 Record: 3-5, 3-5 Peach Belt Conference
  (1-4 H, 2-1 A)
Streak: W1
Last Result: W 60-40, at Georgia College (02/27/21
WBCA Coaches Rankings: NR
D2SIDA Rankings: NR
Head Coach: Matt Houser (3rd season, 22-14, .611%)
Leading Scorer from 20-21: Olonna Rawls, 13.8 ppg
Leading Rebounder from 20-21: Chrisalyn Boston, 10.4 reb/g 

Lady Cougar Notes
• CSU is coming off just eight games from the shortened COVID-19 season. The eight games were the second-fewest played by any PBC school
• The Lady Cougars return all five leading scorers from a season ago. Four of the five (Rawls, Emilia Tenbrock, Boston, Amber Abusbeih) averaged more than 10 ppg
• CSU is 11-4 on the road under third-year coach Matt Houser 
• Last weekend, CSU defeated Division I Charleston Southern University 70-58 in an exhibition tilt. Boston had an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double, while transfer Imani Arnold scored a team-high 19
• Friday will be the first time Columbus State will be taking on a non-PBC school since December 4, 2019. On that day, CSU defeated the University of West Florida 73-55