WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State ushers in a new season on Friday afternoon against Westminster (Utah) as part of the Ashbrook Classic. Tipoff from D.L. Ligon Coliseum is 3:30 p.m.
 
SERIES HISTORY
This is the first ever meeting between Midwestern State and Westminster (Utah) in women's basketball. The only time an MSU team played Westminster (Utah) was in 1991 (Men's soccer won 2-0).  
 
SEASON OPENERS
Midwestern State is 23-21 in season openers but has dropped two straight campaign starters. The last time MSU opened the season with a win was during the 2016-2017 season when the Mustangs upended Adams State (Colorado), 72-55 at the Ashbrook Classic. 
 
ASHBROOK CLASSIC
The 2019-2020 season marks the ninth season MSU women's basketball will host the Ashbrook Classic. To date, MSU has posted a 10-6 mark and has earned at least one win in seven of the eight years they have hosted the event.
 
FAMILIAR FACES
MSU returns seven players from last year's squad, including starters Hannah Reynolds (10.9 ppg), Elizabeth Cathcart (10.5 ppg), Mica Schneider (8.5 ppg), and Kityana Diaz (8.3 ppg).
 
CATCHING UP WITH COACH JOHNSON
Noel Johnson is set to begin her 12th season at the helm of the Midwestern State Women's Basketball team. Last season, Johnson led MSU to a 12-16 (9-11) mark and a sixth place finish in the Lone Star Conference South Division. Overall, the Mustangs have compiled a 151-154 (.495) record under Johnson's guidance. She became the winningest coach in program history on December 19, 2017 when MSU beat Texas A&M-Kingsville, 72-66.
 
SCOUTING THE GRIFFINS
Westminster (Utah) is coming off a 21-9 season that saw them advance to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championship Final for the first time in school history and earn a trip to the NCAA South Central Regionals. The 21-wins was the most for the Griffins since a 26-win campaign in 2014-2015. Junior Hunter Krebs, who finished second on the team with 12.4 PPG, headlines a Westminster squad that returns seven players and was picked to finish second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
 
UP NEXT
MSU wraps up the Ashbrook Classic on Saturday night against Dixie State (Utah). Tipoff is 8 p.m.