HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team announced the additions of Lillian Merow and Shaine Parker to SLU's roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
 
Coach Jeff Dow spoke about Southeastern's newest Lions coming to the program. "We definitely sought out to add more size and length to our roster, and Shaine and Lillian will certainly contribute both offensively and defensively in the paint for us."
 
"We're hoping to have more balance on the offensive end this year and signing these two will allow us to more effectively play inside-out," said Dow. "Defensively they have the size, length and athleticism to protect the rim and make it more difficult for teams to score on us at the rim."
 
Merow comes to Southeastern after playing her freshman season at the University of Omaha. The 6-2 center played in 27 games for the Mavericks during the 2025-26 season. The sophomore brings defense to the Lions, after posting 16 blocks and nine steals during her freshman campaign.
 
The Port Washington, Wis. native had a strong basketball career at Port Washington High School. A four-year letterwinner and state semifinalist, Merow was also an all-conference selection in each of her four years at Port Washington. In 2025, Merow was named the Port Washington Female Athlete of the Year. On what Merow will bring with her to Southeastern, Dow said, "Lillian bringing a year of Division 1 experience will certainly be an asset for us, and it will help her as she transitions into our program and the Southland Conference."
 
On Merow's offensive skillset, Dow added, "She brings a true back-to-the-basket presence for us on the offensive end. We want to have the ability to throw it into the low post on occasion and think that Lillian can thrive in that role."
 
Parker arrives at SLU after competing at Panola College of the NJCAA for her first two seasons in college basketball. The 6-1 forward from Church Point, La. started 25 of the team's 31 games during the 2025-26 season. Parker improved on her freshman campaign, averaging a career-high 10.9 points per game last season. She also made strong contributions on the defensive side of the floor, totaling 38 steals, while also recording team-leading marks in rebounds per contest (5.2) and total blocks (34).
 
Dow also spoke about bringing the Louisiana native to Hammond, "Recruiting in-state players will be a priority for us, and signing Shaine is a step in the right direction for our program. She had a productive two years at Panola but we still feel like she has only scratched the surface on how good she can be." Coach Dow also mentioned Parker's athletic ability, "Athletically she runs the floor well and has shown the ability to be effective driving it from the high post."
 
Southeastern's newest Lions will join Aliyah Collins, Natalie Huff, Emma Lucio, Eryn McKinzie, and Mia Ramos, as well as incoming freshmen Trinity Jackson-Wilkins, Deena Holmes, and Ne'talya Hurst for the team's upcoming 2026-27 season.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.