GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman's women's basketball will tip off the 2023-24 season and a new era on Tuesday when the Paladins play host to UNC Asheville in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Timmons Arena.

The game will mark the head coaching debut of Pierre Curtis, who was named the Paladins' new mentor in June following 10 years as an assistant and associate coach in the Furman program under former head coach Jackie Carson.

Curtis, a Chicago, Ill., native and 2010 graduate of James Madison, where he starred for the Dukes on the hardwood, welcomes back 11 letterwinners off last year's squad, led by redshirt junior guard Tate Walters, a recent preseason All-SoCon selection who is making a comeback after missing the entire 2022-23 season with a knee injury.

Two seasons ago Walters established herself as one of the SoCon's top performers, earning consensus all-conference honors after averaging 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while totaling a league high 137 assists.  In addition, she shot 37.3 percent from 3-point range — second best in the league — and was a first team SoCon All-Tournament pick after leading the Paladins to the championship game.

She is among a cast of five returning Paladins with notable starting experience, a group that also includes redshirt sophomore guard Jaelyn Acker (11.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), senior wing Sydney James (8.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg), and junior forward Jada Session (8.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg).  Acker was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team last year.

Like Walters, redshirt sophomore guard Niveya Henley returns after sitting out the 2022-23 season due to injury.  She  logged 15 starts two seasons ago, averaging 4.0 ppg and 2.6 rpg en route to landing SoCon All-Freshman Team laurels.

The Paladins' most significant loss is consensus all-league forward Grace van Rij (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg).

Furman topped UNC Asheville, 65-64, last year in Asheville and holds a 20-14 edge in the all-time series, including a 12-3 slate in Greenville.

Tuesday's contest will be lived streamed via ESPN+ and include StatBroadcast live stats, with links to both available thru FurmanPaladins.com.