Get ready for an exciting basketball season opener as Chynna Bozeman steps into the spotlight!
The Big Debut
Chynna Bozeman, the new head coach of Saint Francis University's women's basketball team, is about to make her highly anticipated coaching debut. And it's not just any game; it's a historic moment for the Red Flash!
A Season Opener with a Twist
Saint Francis (0-0) takes on Duquesne University (0-0) on November 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This game is more than just a regular season opener; it's a clash of two teams with a shared history, dating back to the very beginnings of women's basketball at Saint Francis.
The Lineup: A Fresh Start
The Saint Francis roster is filled with players making their SFU debuts. Here's a look at the probable starters:
- Guard Aleah James: A graduate student who will lead the team as the point guard. She brings experience from UMES, where she played 31 games with 10 starts.
- Guard Makyiah Ward: A freshman making her collegiate debut. Ward is eager to make an impact right from the start.
- Center Sonia Sato: Another graduate student, Sato joins SFU after playing three seasons at Presbyterian. She's a seasoned player with 85 games under her belt.
- Forward Cassandra Hawthorne: A graduate student who will be a key presence in the frontcourt.
- Forward Shelby Ricks: A sophomore who registered an impressive 165 points last season for Bowie State.
Off the Bench: Depth and Experience
The bench for Saint Francis is stacked with talent, including:
- Guard Desire Short: A junior who will provide depth and leadership.
- Guard Kash Holmes: Another junior, Holmes is ready to make her mark.
- Forward Zaiha Minnis: A senior who will bring her experience to the court.
- Guard Bati Assefa: A senior who will be a reliable option off the bench.
- Guard Sajol Thornhill: A sophomore who appeared in 13 games last season.
- Guard Gemma Walker: A sophomore who led the team in blocks last season.
A Look Back at History
This game against Duquesne holds a special place in Saint Francis' history. It's the 58th season of Red Flash women's basketball, and the first under Coach Bozeman. Interestingly, Duquesne is the only team on this year's schedule that was also on the very first schedule in the history of women's basketball at Saint Francis. The last time these two teams met was in 1969, with Saint Francis coming out on top.
The Road Ahead
Saint Francis has a challenging road ahead. They'll be seeking their first win to open a campaign since 2016, and they'll face a tough test against Duquesne. The Red Flash has a 13-game losing streak against Duquesne, and they'll be looking to turn that around. Additionally, they'll be opening the season against a fellow Keystone State member, which has been a tough challenge historically.
The Coach's Perspective
Coach Bozeman is excited for her first season as head coach. She aims to become the third head coach to win their inaugural Saint Francis game, following in the footsteps of Veronica Bussard, Myndi Hill, and Joe Haigh. With a talented roster and a rich history to build upon, Bozeman is ready to make her mark.
A Win for the Books
An SFU win would be a significant milestone. It would mark the first time the team has started the season 1-0 since the 2016-17 season, and it would give Coach Bozeman her first career victory. Additionally, it would be the seventh time the Red Flash has opened the season with a win, and it would end their losing streak against Duquesne.
The State of the Flash
Saint Francis returns two players from last year's team: sophomores Giselle Eke and Gemma Walker. They'll be joined by a strong group of graduate students and transfers, including Sonia Sato, Shelby Ricks, and Aleah James. The team finished 9-7 in the league last year and hosted an NEC postseason game for the first time since 2021.
About the Dukes
Duquesne is coming off a successful season, advancing to the Super 16 round of the WNIT. However, they'll be without their top three scorers from last year. The Dukes have added some new talent, including transfers Dunja Zecevic, Harriet Ford, and Maja Rohkohl. Keep an eye on sophomore Kellie McConnell, a familiar name in Red Flash circles, as she's the cousin of Saint Francis men's basketball head coach Luke McConnell.
A Storied History
Saint Francis has a rich history in the NEC, with the most NEC Tournament Championships and the most NEC regular season wins. The Red Flash won its first NEC Tournament title 30 years ago, starting a remarkable run of nine championships in 10 years. They've won a total of 12 NEC Tournament titles, an impressive feat.
On the Road
Last season, Saint Francis finished with a 6-11 record on the road, including a solid 4-4 mark in non-conference play. They won three of their last five games away from home, showcasing their ability to perform on the road. At home, they had a 5-8 record, with a strong 5-3 mark in league play.
A Historic Season Opener
This season opener against Duquesne is the earliest the team has started a season in program history, breaking last year's record. The Red Flash has a history of starting the season in early November, but this year's game is a special occasion, marking a new era for the team.
Fun Facts
- The Saint Francis football team will be on the road for the first time since October 11 on November 22, wrapping up its season at Stonehill. Coincidentally, the women's basketball team will also be completing a four-game homestand on the same day.
- The only win in the single-digit days of November for the Red Flash was against Howard on November 9, 2012, a memorable 69-61 victory.
And there you have it!
A highly anticipated season opener, a new head coach, and a team ready to make history. Will Saint Francis break their losing streak against Duquesne? Will Coach Bozeman secure her first victory? Find out as the Red Flash takes on the Dukes! Don't miss this historic game, and join the conversation in the comments below!
