MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry women's basketball team looks to rebound from a disappointing season last year as they tip off 2017-18 at the SSC/GSC Challenge in Jackson, Tenn., on Friday and Saturday this weekend. The Bucs face the host union Bulldogs on Friday and take on the Delta State Lady Statesmen on Saturday. 

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

"This year we have over 90 percent of our scoring returning, whereas last year we had over 90 percent of the scoring leaving the team. With 11 of our top 12 scorers back, we're going to be a much more experienced team this year." -- Barry University head coach Bill Sullivan

The Bucs (5-22) have dropped both previous meetings with the Bulldogs, with both games at Nova Southeastern. In 2014, they fell 70-61. In 2016 it was 98-64. The Bucs have split the two previous games with Delta State, falling 86-62 in the regional final in Cleveland, Miss., in 2001 and winning 52-47 last season at NSU.

Senior center Kiara Palmer leads the returners for Barry. A member of the 2017 Sunshine State Conference All-Newcomer team, she was in the top two in the league in scoring (15.6), rebounding (8.6), and field goal shooting (51.3). Junior forward Lauren Seyranian and senior guard Barbara Cousiño chipped in 9.3 and 9.0 points per game respectively. Elin Ekdahl is the only player who started every game last season. She averaged 7.3 points per game and shot 70.3 percent from line.

Guards Harriet Swindells and Ida Andersson are two of the top newcomers. Swindells, a freshman from England, is a long-range marksman who was third in England's Women's Elite Academy Basketball League in three-point shooting. She was named the Player of the Year. Andersson, a junior from Sweden, is a transfer from NCAA Divsion I Stetson. She helped lead Sweden to the U16 European Championship in 2013.

Union (17-12) is led by returning starters Jada Smith and Jada Perkins. Junior guard Smith averaged 13.5 points per game. Perkins, another junior guard, chipped in 10.5 points per game and added 3.9 assists per game. Bria Gaines, a 6-3 forward, led the Bulldogs at 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game off the bench. NCAA Division I transfer Chelsey Shumpert from Chattanooga was a three-time All-Southern Conference performer for the Mocs.

The Lady Statesmen, who finished 14-14 last season, return five players from last year's squad, including junior guard Alondrea Rush who led the team in points (13.0), assists (3.0) and steals (2.14). Transfer guards Takisha Jordan, Madisyn Sheraka, and Erin Kate Richardson should also be key performers for DSU.