Lander University

Women's Basketball 9/22/2026 1:42:00 PM Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Bearcats Picked 10th in PBC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Lander women's basketball team was picked to finish 10th in the 2026-27 Peach Belt Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Augusta was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving seven first-place votes and 95 points. North Georgia followed in second with one first-place vote and 86 points, while Columbus State received two first-place votes and 83 points to take third.

USC Beaufort earned the remaining first-place vote and was picked fourth with 81 points. Middle Georgia rounded out the top five with 65 points.

Lander received 29 points to place 10th in the preseason poll.

The Bearcats enter their third season under head coach Nicole "Colie" Shelwick looking to build on a 2025-26 campaign in which they finished 9-19 overall and 7-13 in conference play. Lander earned the No. 8 seed in the PBC Tournament before seeing its season come to an end against top-seeded Columbus State in the opening round.

Shelwick's roster will feature plenty of new faces this season while also bringing back a core group of returners, including Alindria Dudley, Ansley Gartrell, Kayla Tilus, Camillea Gore and Seriya Williams.

"We did a great job recruiting within the state, and we believe we have some key kids in this class," Shelwick said. "We also balanced the roster with transfers from out of state who bring different styles of play to the program."

With a mix of newcomers and experienced returners, Shelwick said developing chemistry between the two groups will be an important part of the preseason.

"Our returners are key to our production this season," Shelwick said. "Right now, the focus is on figuring out how to blend everything together. It's incredibly exciting to see what that chemistry can bring this season."

The Bearcats open the 2026-27 season on the road against Erskine on Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. in Due West, S.C.

2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	Team	Points
1.	Augusta (7)	95
2.	North Georgia (1)	86
3.	Columbus State (2)	83
4.	USC Beaufort (1)	81
5.	Middle Georgia	65
6.	GCSU	42
7.	Clayton State	36
8.	Flagler	35
9.	Georgia Southwestern	31
10.	Lander	29
11.	USCA	22

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Players Mentioned

#4 Alindria Dudley: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Kayla Tilus: G/F; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#10 Ansley Gartrell: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#14 Camillea Gore: G/F; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#32 Seriya Williams: C; 6' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#4 Alindria Dudley
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#11 Kayla Tilus
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: G/F

#10 Ansley Gartrell
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#14 Camillea Gore
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G/F

#32 Seriya Williams
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: C