After a successful week of exhibition play that included a win over a Division I team and a closely contested game with national runner up Mississippi State, Jennies basketball will begin their regular season at the Central Region Challenge Friday at Municipal Auditorium.

The Jennies faced two Division I teams in their exhibition schedule and came away with one win in a shocking 70-64 upset over Missouri State. Mississippi State trailed the Jennies after one quarter of their exhibition, but showed the Jennies why they were a top team in Division I winning 97-56.

The three leading scorers the Jennies returned this season picked up where they left off last season. Juniors Megan Skaggs and Morgan Fleming scored double-digit points in both exhibitions while seniors Paige Redmond and Sydney Crockett eclipsed 10 points against Missouri State.

The American Basketball Coaches Association released their preseason top-25 rankings and the Jennies will begin their national title defense in the top spot. Behind them is national runner up Ashland, who the Jennies defeated to win their second national championship last season. Fort Hays State is the only other MIAA team included in the rankings at No. 12.

The Jennies season opener against Southern Nazarene is scheduled to tip at 3:30 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.