The 2023-24 Saint Mary's basketball team officially tips off the season on Wednesday night when they travel to Franklin.

The Belles begin the year with five non-conference games, including their home opener on Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. against Dominican, before kicking off MIAA play on Saturday, December 2 at home against Calvin.

Nine returners along with seven newcomers make up the squad for the year. Junior Julia Schutz (12.3 ppg), seniors Athena Samson (9.0 ppg) and Elle Deardorff (8.0), and junior Jasmyne Townsend (6.0 ppg) were four of the team's five leading scorers a season ago and will all play big roles for the Belles in 2023-24. Samson (8.6 rpg) and Schutz (7.6) finished one-two for Saint Mary's in rebounds while Deardorff (25) paced the Belles in steals last year. Nicole Connolly, Mary Kate Gareau, Lauren Gumma, Alyssa Matuza, and Nyah Porter also return after all contributing to the Belles basketball program a year ago.

Team Breakdown
Returners: Elle Deardorff (Sr.), Mary Kate Gareau (Sr.), Nyah Porter (Sr.), Athena Samson (Sr.), Lauren Gumma (Jr.), Julia Schutz (Jr.), Jasmyne Townsend (Jr.), Nicole Connolly (So.), Alyssa Matuza (So.)
Newcomers: Carly Sherfield (So.), Grace Collins (Fr.), Maeve Lundt (Fr.), Annie Restovich (Fr.), Kate Restovich (Fr.), Caroline Roecker (Fr.), Avery Schiesser (Fr.)

The opening tip of the season is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8 at Franklin College's Spurlock Center.