Montgomery, Ala. – For the third consecutive season, Alabama State women's basketball will open its season against an SEC opponent as the Lady Hornets travel to face No. 8/10 South Carolina on Tuesday night inside of the Colonial Life Arena.
 
Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT with the game broadcast live on SEC Network Plus.
 
The Lady Hornets will once again hold a roster containing more underclassmen than upperclassmen with 12 underclassmen (eight sophomores and nine freshmen) and four upper (graduate, senior and two juniors). Alabama State returns 12 letterwinners including SWAC Freshman of the Year and All-SWAC Second Team selection Ayana Emmanuel who led the team averaging 13.3 points per game alongside 4.2 rebounds.
 
The Lady Hornets welcome four freshmen to the 2019-20 roster in Kailah Johnson (Guard), Dereseia Randle (Forward), Hannah White (Guard) and Aniyah Smith (Forward). Head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson enters her 22nd season at the helm of her alma mater with a 308-316 record. Freeman-Jackson is joined by Clayton Harris (19th season), Yvette McDaniel (19th season) and Dexter Holt (4th season). 
 
Alabama State was picked to finish fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with the defending SWAC champion Southern University picked to win the title. A conference-leading three Lady Hornets were selected to Preseason All-SWAC teams led by sophomore Jayla Crawford landing on the First Team with Emmanuel and sophomore Shmya Ward earning spots on the Second Team.
 
Scouting South Carolina
South Carolina is coming off a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2018-19 NCAA Tournament with a 23-10 record last season, finishing second in the Southeastern Conference with a 13-3 record.
 
The Gamecocks were picked to finish second in conference and landed two players on Preseason All-SEC teams led by Tyasha Harris on the First Team and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan on the Second Team.
 
Season tickets are available for the 2019-20 season by calling 334-229-4551 or visiting BamaStateSports.com. Those interested in courtside seating, call Deputy Director of Athletics Terrance Jones at 334-207-1756 or email him at tjones@alasu.edu.
 
Follow The Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University women's basketball, follow the Hornets on social media at @BamaStateWBB (Twitter), @BamaStateSports (Instagram) and /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at www.BamaStateSports.com.