PITMAN, N.J. - The TCNJ women's basketball team was picked to defend its NJAC title, claiming the top spot in the conference's preseason coaches' poll released this afternoon.
 
The Lions received seven of nine possible first-place votes in the poll, with William Paterson (two first-place votes) and Rutgers-Camden (1) rounding out the top three teams. Rowan and newcomer New Paltz are the other two teams projected to make the NJAC Tournament, with Stockton, Kean, Ramapo and Rutgers-Newark following behind.
 
TCNJ returns several contributors from its 2025 championship team, headlined by First Team All-NJAC and D3Hoops.com Third Team All-Region honoree Amanda Baylock. The junior will take on a larger leadership role after pacing the team in scoring (13.9 PPG) and 3-point field goals (70) while ranking second in assists (2.9) a season ago.
 
Other key returners include starters Brooke McFadden (9.2 PPG / 8.4 RPG) and Maddie Bernhardt (8.1 PPG / 1.8 3PG) as well as sixth-woman Riley Ahrens (8.5 PPG / 16.7 MPG), with the trio all likely to see increased minutes following the departure of Katie Fricker and Myah Hourigan-Hutton.
 
Entering her 11th season in charge of the Lions, head coach Chessie Jackson is excited to experience season-long growth with a roster featuring a strong core of returners as well as an impressive group of newcomers.
 
"Our team returns three of our four leading scorers from last year's NJAC Championship roster, having added three eager and talented first years to the mix," Jackson said. "With a short bench and a ton of playing experience in our junior and senior classes, we are excited to play a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare us for post-season play. Our team is hard at work to develop on the court, relying on excellent leadership from our captains Amanda Baylock and Grace Kowalski. We are looking forward to another great season."
 
TCNJ opens its 2026-27 campaign Saturday, Nov. 7 against Arcadia. The Lions will kick off conference play Wednesday, Dec. 2 with a game against Stockton before hosting Rutgers-Newark the following Saturday for their home opener.
 
2026-27 NJAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll:
1. TCNJ (7)
2. William Paterson (2)
3. Rutgers-Camden (1)
4. Montclair State
5. Rowan
6. New Paltz
7. Stockton
8. Kean
9. Ramapo
10. Rutgers-Newark