Women’s Basketball Signs Bess to Roster

Canisius head women's basketball coach Tiffany Swoffard announced Tuesday that Kelsey Bess has been signed to the Golden Griffins roster for the 2025-26 academic year.

The first signee of the spring recruiting cycle, Bess joins the Blue and Gold as a transfer from Harcum College and will be enrolled as a junior. The Philadelphia, Pa. native will major in biology at the University.

"We are thrilled to add Kelsey to our 25-26 roster. She is a proven winner with great size and versatility," said Swoffard. "Kelsey's ability to finish at the rim through contact and stretch the floor will add immediate value at the guard and forward spot."

At Harcum, Bess was a main contributor to the Bears' 2025 NJCAA Region 19 finals run, playing in 23 games and starting in 21 while averaging 21.6 minutes. For her efforts, she was named to the NJCAA Division II All Region 19 Second Team and helped guide the squad to an East District B Championship.

Harcum ended the season with a 24-6 record, with Bess averaging 11.3 points per game on 35.4 percent shooting from the field, 30.4 percent from three-point land and 75.7 percent from the charity stripe.

In the Region 19 tournament final, Bess scored 10 points and nabbed five rebounds as a starter in a loss to No.1 seed Union. Earlier in the season, Bess posted a 20-point, six-rebound, three-assist performance in a 74-72 win over Union on Feb 15.

Bess posted a career-high 21 points on a 4-for-6 shooting effort from beyond the arc in a 54-52 win over Mesa Community College on Nov. 15, 2024. She also turned in a 20-point, six-assist, three-rebound game against Rarity Valley and a double-double performance with a 15-point, 10-rebound effort against CCBC Essex.

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