CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College women's basketball team prepares to open the 2015-16 season as the Lady Choctaws host Belhaven University on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on www.gochoctaws.com.
 
In a series that dates back to 1976, the contest against the Blazers marks the 19th meeting between the two squads. MC holds a 14-4 advantage over the Blazers, including the last two affairs during the 2001-02 campaign. BU's last win in the series came on Feb. 6, 2001 in a 55-51 decision on its home floor.
 
Entering Tuesday's outing, MC is 34-5 in season openers since the 1975-76 season, including a stretch of 14 straight from 1993-94 to 2006-07. The Lady Choctaws look to improve its home opener record as the program is 28-5 since the 1981-82 season.
 
"We have to be ready for Belhaven in our season opener. They are a local team - just 20 minutes down the road - and we'll have to be ready to play. We'll be ready to go since it's our first home game and it's Belhaven. We are looking to that season opener," said head coach Paul Allen Duke, who is 17-3 in season openers.
 
Mississippi College returns five players from the 2014-15 season, including leading scorer Kristen Sampson, who averaged 12.2 points in her debut with the Lady Choctaws. Joining the Jackson, Miss., native are Zaneta Kubicka, Shanuqua Love, Allie Hill and Mollie Blair.
 
Duke and staff brought in six new faces to join the squad led by Copiah Lincoln transfer Toni Woods and Lane College and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Chloe Roberts.
 
Woods provided consistency on the glass during MC's exhibition outings against Division I members UAB, Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State as the Lafayette, La., native totaled 20 rebounds during the three-game stretch, including nine at UAB. Roberts posted a team-high 14 points at Louisiana Tech en route to 29 points during the three outings.
 
Belhaven opened its 2015-16 season on Nov. 13 in a 58-53 loss at Rhodes College. A duo of Blazers tallied double figures in the decision to the Lynx. Candler Gregory led the Green and Gold with 16 points in the defeat while Sierra Pittman scored 10 points. Jacinda Smith paced BU on the glass seven rebounds.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 21 as it hosts Spring Hill College. Tip against the Badgers is slated for 2 p.m.