BALTIMORE, MD – The target has been squarely placed on the Lincoln University women's basketball team.
 

Despite having to replace the vast majority of last season's projections, the Lions were the prohibitive favorites to win the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the conference announced today (September 26, 2022).
 

LU picked up seven of the 12 first-place votes. They were followed by Elizabeth City State, Johnson C. Smith, Bowie State, Fayetteville State, Winston-Salem State, Virginia Union, Claflin, Livingstone, Virginia State, Shaw, and Saint Augustine's. 
 

"I believe the vote shows a level of respect that Lincoln garnered following last year's season," said Lincoln University Head Coach Janice Washington. "I'm appreciative of that respect from the CIAA coaches, while also a bit surprised at the predicted order of finish. 
 

"We lost over 85% of our production in scoring, rebounding, and specific defensive categories," Washington continued. "While we have brought in capable players, it'll be vital that this young group continues to work on developing their chemistry for us to have a successful CIAA season. Every game in the CIAA is a dogfight, regardless of the opponent, but being voted as the team to beat certainly puts a target on our back. We look forward to the challenge."
 

Lincoln lost its top six scorers with senior Kania Pollock (Queens, N.Y./The Mary Louis Academy), who averaged 6.3 points and 2.2 rebounds off the bench, being the top returning threat. Junior Jaleesa Lanier (Easton, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic), who started 18 games, was second on the team with 64 assists. She added 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 rebounds. The only two returners are sophomore Maya Madison Walker (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) (3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and sophomore Taylor Brown (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) (1.2 ppg and 0.8 rpg).
 

The Lions open the season 5 p.m. November 11 in the CIAA/PSAC Challenge against Slippery Rock.