Mission University enters the 2026-27 women's basketball season with a proven group of returners and a deeper, more versatile roster following a 15-17 campaign and a 10-10 finish in American Midwest Conference play.

The Lady Patriots believe they can legitimately play 15 deep after adding more height, physicality and experience during the offseason. The newcomers include a Division II transfer, two AMC transfers, two junior-college transfers and a local six-foot freshman Gentry Davault.

Jones Leads Experienced Returning Core

Ireland Jones returns after earning First Team All-AMC honors. The 5-foot-5 junior averaged 22.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 84.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Senior Miya Nieto also returns after averaging 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Nieto shot 36.3 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from beyond the arc on her way to earning Honorable Mention All-AMC recognition.

Tara Masten is back for her sophomore season after being named to the AMC All-Freshman Team. Masten averaged 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Naomi Daugherty and Hannah Maxwell give Mission additional experience in the frontcourt. Daugherty averaged 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 55.1 percent from the field. She was also named Mission's AMC Champion of Character.

Maxwell contributed 6.2 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game while connecting on 38.8 percent of her three-point attempts.

Transfers Add Size and Production

Mission added several experienced players through the transfer portal, led by Division II transfer Jacee Peterson. The 5-foot-9 sophomore arrives from William Jewell after averaging 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game.

Alina Bowden joins the Lady Patriots after playing at AMC opponent UHSP. The 5-foot-8 junior averaged 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 39.0 percent from the floor.

Six-foot-3 senior Capri Garrett transfers from Stephens College. Garrett missed last season due to injury but gives Mission additional size and experience inside.

The Lady Patriots also added junior-college transfers AJ Person and Kylee Cole. Person comes to Mission from North Arkansas College, while Cole arrives from Crowder College after averaging 10.5 points and shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Local six-foot freshman Gentry Davault rounds out the featured newcomer class. Davault brings size along with strong court vision and basketball IQ.

Increased Competition and Versatility

The combination of an accomplished returning group and a diverse collection of newcomers gives Mission considerably more competition throughout its rotation.

With proven scoring in Jones, Nieto and Masten, added size in Garrett and Davault, and experienced transfers throughout the backcourt and frontcourt, the Lady Patriots enter the season deeper, more physical and more versatile.