GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Lauren Carmona of Santa Fe College women's basketball has signed to compete for Bethel University in McKenzie, Tenn. 

Bethel University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and competes in the Mid-South Conference. 

Head Coach Chris Nelson is a graduate of Bethel, and has led the program for 15 seasons. He was named the NAIA Division 1 Women's Basketball coach of the year in 2019-20, when the Lady Cats qualified for the NAIA National Championship for the 11th time and were ranked at No. 6 in the final Coaches' Top 25.

In 2020-21, Bethel finished with an overall record of 12-13, but now aim to bring in a recruiting class that will make a difference. 

Coach Nelson: "We are excited to add a player of Lauren's caliber to our program. We did our research and all her coaches spoke highly of her game and especially her character. She will add great size to our lineup at the forward position. Her defensive length will help us and we feel she will be big in our rebounding efforts."

Carmona is from Cooper City, Fla. and Archbishop McCarthy High School, and contributed 8.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Saints in 2020-2021 to be named to the Central Conference Second Team under Head Coach Chanda Stebbins. 

The 6'0" wing player played in 18 games, starting in 17. Carmona tied for the team lead in three-pointers made on the season, sinking 30. She recorded at least one three-pointer in 16-of-18 games played.

Carmona put in a season-high 16 points on two occasions, at St. Petersburg College on Feb. 27 and against Hillsborough Community College on March 12. Her new career-high in the rebounding category was set on March 3 against FSCJ, when she snagged 14. 

Current SF Women's Basketball Commitments to Four-Year Institutions

 Lauren Carmona - Bethel University

 Zoé Alexander, Rust College - Story