The LaGrange College women's basketball team opens its 2011-12 season Friday at the Millsaps College Tip-Off Classic in Jackson, Miss. The Panthers face Louisiana College at 7 p.m.

The Panthers set numerous team records in finishing 20-5 last season, including wins in a season and scoring average. During the 2010-11 season, the Panthers led NCAA Division III in scoring, averaging 83.4 points per game.   

The Panthers finished second in the Great South Athletic Conference regular season standings last season. The Panthers are picked second again this season by the coaches in the GSAC pre-season poll. They have 10 players returning who all played in at least 24 games.  

The Panthers return their top seven scorers including GSAC Player of the Year Katie Covington. Covington, a junior, led the Panthers in game scoring (17.6) and rebounds (7.9). She has been a GSAC All-Conference selection the past two seasons. For the second straight season, Covington set school records for free throws attempted and made in a season. She shot 81.3 percent from the free throw line to lead the GSAC. Covington was a third team D3hoops.com All-Region selection.

Fellow junior Heather Miller was also a GSAC All-Conference pick, averaging 15.2 points per game. Sophomore Alex Wilson set a school record for 3-point shots made (63) and was second in NCAA Division III in 3-point field goal percentage (47.0). Wilson averaged 9.0 points per game last season.

Point guard Elizabeth Williams, one of only two seniors on the team, set a school record with 138 assists while averaging 9.0 points per game. She is the school's career leader in assists with 331.

Head coach Mark Isenhour is entering his fifth season with the Panthers. Isenhour is 64-37 in four years and the Panthers have improved their win total each season.