The UMBC Women’s Basketball team looks to build upon its incredible 2022-23 season when it opens the 2023-24 season at local rival Towson on Monday at 7 p.m.

Last season, UMBC was picked to finish last (ninth place), yet defied predictions en route to a fourth place finish and an America East semifinal appearance, its first since 2015.

The Retrievers hosted and won their first ever America East Quarterfinal and boasted three players making all-conference teams and three major award winners.

Kiara Bell was named the America East Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and was named to the all-conference second team. Nia Staples was named America East Sixth Player of the Year and KK White and Asia McCalla earned spots on the all-conference second and third teams, respectively.

The Retrievers had a 14-15 overall record and went 10-6 in conference last season, and return seven players, including one starter, while adding six newcomers (five transfers and one freshman)

The Retrievers are slated to play 12 non-conference games before heading into conference play

UMBC was picked to finish sixth in the America East Preseason Poll

Guard Anne Adewumi is the lone freshman joining the team this season.

Graduate Student Jaliena Sanchez joins the squad from UMass Lowell starting all 27 games for the River Hawks last season and earning America East All-Rookie Team and All Defensive Team in 2019-20.

Anna Blount joins from UC-Riverside, where she averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.2 rpg in two seasons for the Highlanders.

Jordon Lewis joins from La Salle Univ., earning three letters at La Salle from 2019-2022.

Trinity Palacio joins the team from the Univ. of Charleston where she scored over 1,000 points (1,011) in 101 career games for the Golden Eagles.

Jaden Walker joins from St. Joseph’s Univ., where she competed for three campaigns and served as team captain in 2022-23. Her sister, Sherelle, was a four-year starter and America East All-Conference standout on the UMBC Volleyball team (2012-2015). Her brother, Jarace, was the No.8 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers.

Scouting Towson:

• Towson is coming off a 21-12 season and a 13-5 mark in the CAA.
• The Tigers earned a share of the CAA regular season crown and a WNIT appearance.
• They were picked to finish in first place and received 163 points with nine first-place votes.
• Towson was voted No. 19 in the preseason mid-major poll.
• Redshirt senior guard Kylie Kornegay-Lucas was named as the CAA Preseason of the Year and earned All-CAA First Team honors.
• Junior forward Quinzia Fulmore was named All-CAA Honorable Mention.

Series History:

• Towson leads the all-time series, 39-14
• The Tigers have won the past eight meetings,
• The two teams last met on 11/20/18, where TU won 72-61 at The Peake.