NORFOLK, Va. – The Bethune-Cookman women's basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the league by the conference head coaches and sports information directors, officials from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced Thursday.

Vanessa Blair leads the Lady Wildcats in her fifth season as head coach at Bethune-Cookman University.

The Lady Wildcats are coming off a 10-19 season and the 2012-13 edition of B-CU women's basketball will open action on Saturday (Nov. 3) with nearly an entirely new roster versus the University of Tampa in an exhibition game at Richard V. Moore Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. Admission is free to the general public.

The team features five returning players, led by juniors Amanda Hairston, Sharnese Neal and Kiara Redmon, with the addition of eight newcomers, including four high school players, three junior college transfers, and one NCAA Division I transfer.

After Tampa, the regular season opener is Tuesday, Nov. 6 against Trinity Baptist, with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff set at Moore Gym.

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

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