TEMPE, AZ. – Jacksonville State's women's basketball team will open the 2024-25 campaign with a road showdown against one of the newest members of the Big 12, Arizona State, on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Jax State (0-0, 0-0 CUSA) vs Arizona State (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)
When: Monday, November 4 | 7:30 PM CST
Where: Desert Financial Arena | Tempe, AZ.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
TV: ESPN+ (Braiden Bell, Arnecia Hawkins)
 
Jax State vs Arizona State Notes
 
Across the Country
Jax State will travel to the state of Arizona for the first time since 2001 when the Gamecocks played Northern Arizona. The matchup against the Sun Devils is the first time the Red-and-White have faced Arizona State in program history.
 
Second Year in CUSA
The Gamecocks are entering their second season as members of the Conference USA. Jax State posted a 7-9 record in league play last year enough for a fifth-place finish in the conference. The Gamecocks were eventually defeated in the CUSA Quarterfinals by Louisiana Tech to end their season. For the second straight year, the CUSA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments will take place at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala.
 
All Rhodes Lead West
Senior forward Bre'Anna Rhodes highlights a group of eight returners to the Jax State squad. Rhodes led the Gamecocks averaging 8.1 points per game in the 2023-24 season. Rhodes was also second on the team in rebounds last year with an average of 4.6 per contest. Rhodes will look to pick up where she left off in 2023-24 at Arizona State on Monday.
 
Barnes is Back
Another major contributor returning to the Gamecocks is senior forward Mya Barnes. Barnes Averaged 6.7 points per game last year and posted a 34.3% three-point shooting percentage. Barnes also averaged 4.2 rebounds per game and was a force on defense averaging 1.1 blocks per contest.
 
New Kids on the Block
One of the top newcomers to the team is Morehead State transfer Valentina Saric. Saric played in 22 games as a freshman for the Eagles in 2022-23, including five starts. She scored a career-best 12 points against Southeastern Missouri on Feb. 11, 2023. As a sophomore, Saric averaged 8.3 points per game on 48.15% shooting from three-point range.
 
Other newcomers include junior college transfer Clara Gonzalez Planella. Gonzalez Planella shined at Cochise College where she averaged 9.4 points per game as a sophomore on 39.4% shooting from the field. Reinhardt transfer Maria Sanchz Ponce joins the fold after averaging 16.0 points per game on 57.1% shooting from the field and 42.1% shooting from range. Finally, freshman Kyera Thornsbury joins the Gamecocks after a stellar high school career at Pikeville High School in Kentucky.
 
Up Next
Following the road game against the Sun Devils, Jax State will host Southern Utah in their home opener on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
 
Stay in the Know
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.