CHARLOTTE - Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball will open the 2022-23 campaign with an exhibition against North Carolina Central University on Monday, Nov. 7, inside McDougald-McLendon Arena. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
 
Johnson C. Smith will play NCCU for the first time since NCCU left the CIAA in 2006-07 to start its transition to the NCAA Division I ranks. The two former conference foes have a level 29-29 all-time record against each other, with the Eagles winning the last three matchups against the Golden Bulls (last game was a 79-69 win for NCCU on Feb. 24, 2007).
                                                                                                                         
The Golden Bulls went 15-10 last season, including a winning 10-6 record in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Johnson C. Smith is the favorite to win the CIAA Southern Division.
 
JCSU returns two of its top scorers from last season, including senior guard Shaniya Jones. Jones earned All-CIAA backcourt honors last year after leading the team with 14.1 points per game.
 
Fifth-year forward Le'Zarea Bowens made the All-CIAA Preseason Frontcourt Team despite missing most of last season. However, prior to the coronavirus pandemic Bowen played in 83 games for the Golden Bulls from 2017-2020. Bowens earned All-CIAA honors in 2019-20 when she averaged 12.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
 
You can watch the game live on the NCCU Sports Network by clicking here.