MORRISTOWN, N.J. - The College of Saint Elizabeth women's basketball team tips off its 2018-19 season Thursday as it hosts FDU-Florham at 5 pm.

The Eagles look to start this season off with a win and improve from their previous 8-16 record last season. Last season, the Eagles tallied five wins in the conference and sat at a 5-6 record at home.

This will be head coach Marquetta Dickens' second season with the College of Saint Elizabeth.  Dickens is looking forward to making waves in the conference. "Our fans can always expect us to get after it on the defensive end of the ball and give all that we have for 40 minutes. It was something that was really great for us last season.  In addition to that, we have added key players that will help us offensively.  Having a true point guard this season will be one of our biggest factors, along with a super solid post presence.  I feel we are more balanced overall.  All of our returners have more experience and with that comes more confidence.  We are looking forward to having an exciting season."

This is the first time the Eagles go head to head with the neighboring Devils since December 30th, 2015.  FDU is coming off a 22-7 season with a 12-2 record in the MAC Freedom Conference.  The Devils qualified for the NCAA Tournament and defeated Skidmore College in the first round, 70-66 before falling to Bowdoin College in the round of 32, 79-57.

The Eagles have a positive outlook on the upcoming season as it brings back a majority of the offense from last season.  Returning eight players, and all five starters, the Eagles will be lead by strong experience. The Eagles are returning all five of its top scorers from the last season, including Deja Ingram who averaged 18.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.  Ingram was also named to the NEAC Second Team All-Conference and netted her 1,000th career point last February. 

Averaging 10.7 and 2.5 rebounds points per game last season, Rakiyah Sellers follows Ingram as another strong returner.  Joining Sellers is Kamille Jacobs, Kamani Williams, and Damaris King, who will look to have strong contributions to the team once again.  With the addition of  four key newcomers, the Eagles look to be a force in conference play. 

The women's game will be directly followed by the men's game at 7 p.m against FDU.  Live stats for the game can be found here.