Oct. 21, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team is picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10 race, according to a poll of the Atlantic 10's head coaches and media released today by conference officials. The Hawks, who return three starters and eight letterwinners, finished 13-17 overall and 10th (5-9) in the conference a season ago.

In that same poll, the coaches and media selected the preseason All-Conference teams. The Hawks' leading scorer (12.2ppg) and second-leading rebounder (5.5 rpg) last year, senior forward Brittany Ford), was named to the Preseason All-Conference Third Team. An A-10 All-Conference Honorable Mention as a junior, Ford was the most efficient offensive player for SJU a season ago, converting 48.4 percent of her shots, while ranking among the conference leaders in scoring, and blocked shots (1.0 per game).

Last year's regular-season champions, Xavier, was picked to finish first this year, as the Musketeers received 12 of 14 first-place votes. Charlotte, the reigning A-10 Tournament champs, were picked to finish second, while Dayton and Richmond were picked to finish in a tie for third place. The Flyers and Spiders each received a first-place votes.

Temple was picked to finish fifth, while St. Bonaventure and Duquesne were picked to finish tied for sixth. George Washington was selected eight in the poll and is followed by the Hawks, Saint Louis, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, La Salle and Fordham.

The Hawks open the 2009-10season on the road at New Hampshire on Friday, November 13.