ST. AUGUSTINE – Mo Smith and his 2019-20 Flagler College women's basketball team opens up their season this afternoon at Florida Southern College. He welcomes back five players from last year's roster that posted a 21-8 overall record and a 17-5 mark in the Peach Belt Conference.

Smith spent nine seasons as the head coach at fellow PBC member Georgia College where he won the PBC Tournament title in 2010-11 and made an NCAA Division II appearance. He will look to bring in a pressure defense that will lead to easy offensive opportunities.  

"This is one of the most athletics teams I have had in the past few years," said Smith. "Our success is going to come from our defensive stops. Whether it is forcing turnovers, getting rebounds, or getting steals, that is where we will be at our best."

The Saints have two starters back in Kierra Crane and Ivana Boyd. Crane averaged 11.1 points per game and led the league in free throw percentage (81.5), was third in 3-point field goal percentage (38.0), and ninth in 3-pointers (49).

"Kierra is a lights-out shooter," said Smith. "She is one of the best threats in the country at shooting the three-pointer. Kierra has turned it up on the defensive end during preseason."

Boyd was ninth in the Peach Belt in assists (81) and offensive rebounds (63).

"Ivana has been great leading this team," said Smith. "She spearheads our defense and can pick up full-court and I think she can be the most athletic and explosive guard in this conference. Ivana is a versatile guard who can play three different positions."

Also returning is senior forward Rayven Wade. She suffered a season-ending injury early in the 2017-18 season and missed all of last year. Rayven averaged 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in just nine games.  

"Rayven is like a big guard (5-foot-9)," said Smith. "We are playing her at the four where she can get rebounds and go. She can lead the break, almost like a point forward. Her mid-range game is going to be key as she can get to the basket whenever she wants. Rayven can also cause a lot of havoc defensively at the top of a press."

Smith has six newcomers on this year's roster. Tori Pearce, a 5-foot-8 guard from Tallahassee Community College has impressed him already in camp. She averaged 8.3 points and 1.4 steals per game for the Eagles and helped TCC earn a No. 6 national ranking last year.

"Tori has a really smooth and silky game to her," said Smith. "She's a really good passer and is a very good decision maker. Tori has a high basketball IQ and has developed into a leader."

N'Mya Pierce, is a 5-foot-11 forward from the College of Central Florida. She averaged 11.1 points and 5.2 rebounds a game last year to earn All-Mid-South Florida Conference first-team honors.

"She is really good with her back to the basket," said Smith. "N'Mya is very athletic and runs the floor. She is another person we can put at the top of a press. N'Mya is going to be a really good Peach Belt Conference post player."

Coming off the bench is 5-foot-10 forward Scout Frame from Kinsley, Kansas. She was the second player in the history of the Cloud County CC program to eclipse the 1,000-point, 500-rebound milestones.

"Scout is a hard-nosed Midwest kid," said Smith. "She is tough, skilled, she can handle the ball, and she can shoot it. She is very cerebral."

Monique Bryant, a 5-foot-5 guard, comes from nearby Florida State College at Jacksonville where she averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as a sophomore.

"Monique has a great mid-range game and is an awesome defender," said Smith.

The Saints will play their home opener on Nov. 19 against Florida Tech at 5:30 p.m.  

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