'Cats Look to Keep Momentum Versus Iona

DAVIDSON, N.C. - Winners of its last three games, the Davidson women's basketball team will look to keep its momentum with home game against Iona 1 p.m. Sunday.

GAME DETAILS

Opponent: Iona

Date/Location: Sunday, Nov. 16 (1 p.m.) / John M. Belk Arena

Watch: ESPN+

In-game Updates: X.com (@Davidson_WBB)

LAST TIME OUT

Emilie Bessell scored a career-high 19 points and Charlise Dunn added 16 points and 9 rebounds to lead Davidson past Appalachian State, 74-55, in non-conference women's basketball action Wednesday evening.

Bessell finished 6-of-7 from the floor and free-throw line en route to just her second career double-digit performance. Entering tonight's contest, the sophomore had only scored two points in each of the first three games this season.

Edina Strausz also scored in double figures with 12 points for the Wildcats, who torched the nets for 56 percent, including a 9-of-19 effort from deep.

SERIES HISTORY
The Gaels and Wildcats have never played against each other in a women's basketball game. Iona is 2-1 in their young season with wins over Mercy and New Haven. They are coming off a 75-44 loss to College of Charleston on Friday.

FULKS EXTENDED
On Friday, Davidson Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris Clunie announced a contract extension for head women's basketball coach Gayle Fulks through the 2032 season.

Over the past two season, Fulks has led the team to a 37-22 record as the Wildcats climbed to third-place finish in the Atlantic 10 and secured the program's first at-large selection into the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Fulks has accumulated a 126-116 record, making her the second winningest coach in program history. She has also coached 15 all-conference players, including four in the 2024-45 season.

With a win against William and Mary in this season's home opener, Fulks' record inside Belk is now 64-39 and 23-7 in the past two seasons.

CAREER HIGHS

With a new season, new players are stepping up each game for the Wildcats. Against App State, Bessell was the hero, eclipsing her career high coring night by eight points. Bessell's scoring was bolstered by her ability to get to the line, going 6-for-7 with a 88.9 percent free-throw percentage on the season.

Edina Strausz has blossomed in the early season, averaging a career-high 9.0 point per game as the starting center. In her freshman season, the Budapest, Hungary native did not go above double figures in her nine appearances but has posted career high scoring nights in all four of Davidson's games, including a 12-points, four rebound performance at App State.

Charlise Dunn continues to lead the team in points and rebounds, averaging 14.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG through four starts. She ranks among the top 20 in the Atlantic 10 in scoring (12th), rebounding (12th), 3-point percentage (.435 – 17th), free-throw percentage (.800 – 12th) and blocks per game (1.0 – 10th).

UP NEXT
The Wildcats will take on power conference foe Miami next Thursday, broadcast live on ESPN U from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as part of the WBCA Showcase.

Schedule

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Players Mentioned

Emilie Bessell

Charlise Dunn

Edina Strausz

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