PITTSBURGH – First-year Point Park head coaches Taylor Fulton (women's basketball) and Joe Long (men's basketball) met with reporters today at the league's annual Basketball Media Day presented by Chick-fil-A and The Health Plan. The event was hosted by the City of Wheeling and WesBanco Arena.
 
Fulton is entering her first season leading the Pioneers women, taking over the program following an 8-19 mark in 2025-26. Point Park will have to replace its top four scorers from a season ago, but return guard Lucia Hervia (6.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and post player Kamryn Pieper (5.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg) this winter. Starting point guard Lexi Adams will also return after missing all but three games a season ago.
 


Long was elevated to head men's basketball coach following the 2025-26 season and will look to improve on the Pioneers' 8-19 campaign last winter. The Pioneers return just four players from a season ago, including starting guard Grant Welch (11.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and key reserve Jayden Davis (4.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg). The Pioneers also added eight transfers from different levels of collegiate basketball for the 2026-27 season.
 


The league also announced its preseason polls on Tuesday afternoon (listed below).

2026-27 MEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Fairmont State (5) 113
Charleston (5) 111
Glenville State (2) 101
WV Wesleyan 84
Concord 77
Frostburg State 72
West Liberty 68
Wheeling 50
West Virginia State 46
Shawnee State 32
Point Park 23
Davis & Elkins 15

2026-27 MEC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
West Liberty (11) 121
Glenville State (1) 101
Fairmont State 101
Charleston 98
Wheeling 84
Concord 61
Frostburg State 56
West Virginia State 47
Shawnee State 46
Davis & Elkins 43
Point Park 23
WV Wesleyan 11
*( ) first-place votes

The Pioneers men will open their 2026-27 campaign with an exhibition game at St. Bonaventure on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 24). Tip is set for 4 p.m. The Point Park women open the year on Monday, Nov. 9 at Pitt-Johnstown.