PAC Release

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Allegheny College women's basketball was picked fifth in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) 2023-24 Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Friday.

The Gators, who also finished fifth in the standings in 2022-23, were chosen to repeat in the same place. Last winter, Allegheny had a 13-13 overall record with a 12-8 record against PAC opponents.

Washington and Jefferson College was voted No. 1 in the conference with 95 points, followed by Saint Vincent College with 91. Chatham University received two first-place votes and was picked third with 84 points, followed by Westminster College with 75 points. Allegheny rounded out the top five with 58 points.

In addition to the preseason poll, the PAC released its Players to Watch list. Included from Allegheny were second-year point guard Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley), sophomore forward Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area), and third-year shooting guard Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone). In 2022-23, Lauer led all scorers in the PAC with 18.4 points per game, Bickart ranked first in assists (109) and assists per game (4.2), and Santicola was first in blocks (61) and blocks per game (2.7).

Allegheny women's basketball opens the new season on Wednesday, November 8, at 5:30 p.m. with a non-conference matchup at Carnegie Mellon University. The home opener is set for Tuesday, October 21, at 6:00 p.m. against Bethany College.