Oct. 26, 2005

RICHARDSON, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team has been picked the American Southwest Conference West Division Champion. The Cowgirls have won the ASC West all eight years their have been divisions in the ASC.

Defending champion UT-Tyler was the pick in the east side in voting done by the league's coaches, SIDs and media. The Cowgirls received 122 points and eight first-place votes to edge out defending conference champion Howard Payne by six points. McMurry was third in the voting followed by Mary Hardin-Baylor, Concordia-Austin, Texas Lutheran, Sul Ross State and Schreiner.

Lisa Martinez of Mary Hardin-Baylor was voted the preseason player of the year in the West Division and Shamonica Shead was picked as the preseason player of the year in the East Division.

UT-Tyler was followed by Mississippi College, Austin College, Louisiana College and East Texas Baptist in the east. UT-Dallas, Ozarks and LeTourneau round out the preseason poll.

The Cowgirls went 22-4 last season and return a solid nucleus from that team along with former All-ASC selection Sonya West (a McMurry transfer) and a host of newcomers. They open the season on Nov. 22 when Southwestern comes calling for a 5:30 p.m. game at the Mabee Complex.

ASC WEST DIVISION

Rank Team (first place votes).. Points 2004-05 Records

1. Hardin-Simmons (8)............ 122...... 22-4, 19-3 ASC

2. Howard Payne (5)................ 116...... 24-5, 18-4 ASC

3. McMurry (3)......................... 109...... 19-9, 16-6 ASC

4. Mary Hardin-Baylor............. 86....... 16-9, 14-8 ASC

5. Concordia-Austin (1)........... 69..... 16-10, 15-7 ASC

6. Texas Lutheran...................... 56....... 9-16, 9-13 ASC

7. Sul Ross State........................ 33....... 3-21, 3-19 ASC

8. Schreiner................................ 21....... 1-24, 1-21 ASC

ASC West Division Preseason Player of the Year:

Lisa Martinez, F, Sr., University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

ASC EAST DIVISION

Rank Team (first place votes) Points 2004-05 Records

1. Texas-Tyler (9)..................... 150...... 16-8, 16-6 ASC

2. Mississippi College (10)..... 149...... 17-9, 14-8 ASC

3. Austin College (2)................ 118...... 18-8, 15-7 ASC

4. Louisiana College................ 104... 15-11, 14-8 ASC

5. East Texas Baptist ................ 92.. 10-16, 10-12 ASC

6. Texas-Dallas.......................... 61....... 7-18, 6-16 ASC

7. Univ. of the Ozarks............... 56....... 4-21, 4-18 ASC

8. LeTourneau............................ 23....... 2-23, 2-20 ASC

ASC East Division Preseason Player of the Year:

Shamonica Shead, G, Jr., University of Texas at Tyler