Location:

Greenwood, S.C.

Founded:

1872

Enrollment:

2,900

President:

Dr. Daniel W. Ball

Nickname:

Bearcats

Colors:

Royal Blue & Gold

Athletic Affiliation:

NCAA Division II -- Peach Belt Conference

Athletics Director:

Jeff May

Sports Information Director:

Bob Stoner

E-Mail:

bstoner@lander.edu

Athletics Web Site:

www.lander.edu/athletics

Women's Basketball

Head Coach:

Jonathan Norton (2nd year), Columbus State 1995

Assistant Coach:

Toni Leopard, Presbyterian 2002

Record Entering NCAA:

24-5

Conference Record/Finish:

14-2/1st

Notes:

The Lander University Lady Bearcats are entering their first NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional Tournament since its back-to-back appearances in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. A major transformation has been going on at Lander since second-year coach Jonathan Norton took over a 2-25 program. In his first year as a head coach, Lander posted a 12-16 record, the fifth best turnaround in Division II that year. This season, the Lady Bearcats improved to 24-5 overall and 14-2 in the PBC. The 24 victories is a single season school record. Norton was voted the Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year as the Lady Bearcats claimed their first-ever PBC regular-season championship. Lander carried a 12-game winning streak into the PBC tournament championship game, but was defeated by Georgia College & State University. Lander's Tracy Jacobs was named first-team All-PBC and Natasha Hemphill was named second-team All-PBC. Jennifer Beamon and Jacquay White were named to the PBC All-Tournament team.