SAVANNAH, Ga. – Although the start of the 2012-13 basketball season is still a few months out, the Savannah State women's basketball team will head to Toronto, Canada next week to play in three preseason exhibition games. 

The Lady Tigers opens the exhibition on Tuesday August 7, against the Toronto Club Senior Women's Team at 7 p.m. They will continue against Toronto Team X Wednesday at 7 p.m., and will conclude Thursday night with a game against the Toronto Club All-Star Team at 7 p.m. 

Savannah State will return 11 off of last year's roster, and have added four newcomers to the 2012-13 season. Last season's point's leader, Ezinne Kalu, returns for her junior season after starting in all 30 games in the 2011-12 campaign. The Newark, New Jersey native led the team with 529 points (17.6 points per game).  Kalu also led the team in field goal attempts (500), 3-point attempts (192) and 3-pointers made (42, 1.4 average per game). 

Also returning for the Lady Tigers is Blessing Uba, Jasmine Kirkland, Jasmine Norman, and Zadous Pollard Uba started 19 games in the 2011-12 season, averaging 5.2 points a game, with 157 total points. Kirkland was second in the team in total points scored (261), and second in field goals made (113). 

The Lady Tigers lost rebound leader and center Alisha Nelson to graduation, but have replaced her with two transfers.  Erin Hogue comes to Savannah State from the University of Alabama, while Nicole Shelton joins the Tigers after playing at Tallahassee Community College. 

The team is helmed by ninth year head coach Cedric Baker.  The Lady Tigers open the regular season in November.