Flash Points:

• Saint Francis was picked third in the NEC Pre-season poll
• Wisconsin dropped their first game of the season at Charlotte
• This is the first meeting between the teams

MADISON, WIS.-  Saint Francis women's basketball opens the 2016-17 campaign at the Kohl Center against the Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday at 5 p.m.

ABOUT THE FLASH
Saint Francis was picked third in the Northeast Conference Pre-season poll. SFU returns four starters to a team that tied for third last year in the NEC at 11-7 and reached the Northeast Conference semi-finals for a record 17th time. This season, they are led in part by pre-season All-NEC and Nancy Liebermann watch list guard Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg). The sophomore ran away with the conference Rookie of the Year Award after scoring 649 points last year, an average of nearly 21 per game. Senior guards Katie Reese (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes (Manhattan)) and Halee Adams (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle (Sienna)) return. Reese averaged nearly five assists per game last season and led the Flash in their exhibition win with 27 points.Adams led the team from three point range last season, shooting nearly 40 percent from distance. Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh) also returns to the starting lineup as the junior filled the stat sheet last year averaging nearly 10 points, three rebounds and three assists per game.

NEW ADDITIONS
The Flash introduced two new assistant coaches this week, as Vanessa Abel and Janicia Anderson join Coach Joe Haigh's staff. Abel played four years at Duquesne before a three-year career in Europe. Anderson comes to the Flash from Columbus Africentic High School in Columbus and the All-Ohio AAU coaching circuit. Anderson was an honorable mention All-America player for Wilberforce University in Ohio. The Flash also welcome in six new players highlighted by a pair of transfers. Ace Harrison (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor (Maryland)) comes to the Flash as a graduate transfer from Maryland and can play right away. Kyasia Duling (Zanesville, Ohio/New Albany (Duquesne)) will suit up for the Flash after the fall semester concludes, she is a transfer from Duquesne.

ABOUT WISCONSIN
This will be the home opener for the Badgers who dropped their season opener at Charlotte 63-48 on Friday night. Jonathan Tsipis is in his first season in Madison after a successful run at George Washington. On Friday, Cayla McMorris led the way with 13 points but the Badgers struggled from the field, shooting 23 percent. Malayna Johnson grabbed 10 rebounds for Wisconsin as they were plus-6 on the glass against the 49ers. Charlotte also forced Wisconsin into 20 turnovers.

FOLLOW ALONG
Sunday's game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus for a fee. The Badgers' radio broadcast will also be streamed and Wisconsin will be providing live stats. All links are on the women's basketball schedule page.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Flash continue their trip through America's Dairy Land on Tuesday when they travel to Milwaukee to face Marquette. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. Saint Francis will host Columbia in their home opener next Saturday at 4 p.m.