Women's basketball announces 2008-09 schedule
08/26/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Aug. 26, 2008
By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Entering her fifth season at the helm of the Saluki woman's basketball program, head coach Dana Eikenberg will guide Southern Illinois against a competitive 2008-09 schedule.
The schedule features seven non-conference games, plus a trip to the Grand Bahama Island for the Junkanoo Jam Tournament Nov. 28-29.
Southern Illinois will open the regular season against Saint Louis on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in Carbondale.
The Salukis will also host Arkansas State (Nov. 19), Tennessee Tech (Dec. 21) and Northern Illinois (Dec. 28) in non-league play.
Non-conference road games include Big East member DePaul (Dec. 5), Chicago State (Dec. 14), and Central Arkanasas (Dec. 16)
"With our non-conference schedule, we really wanted to renew some regional rivalries," said Eikenberg. "We're excited about being able to play regionally against some teams that are doing very well in their own conferences."
At the Junkanoo Jam, SIU will face Florida (Nov. 28), and play either Hofstra or Arizona State (Nov. 29). The latter made it to the second round of the Women's NCAA Tournament last season.
"The Junkanoo Jam is a very prestigious and well-established tournament, and we're honored to be one of the four teams participating," said Eikenberg. "Our first game against Florida will give us an early barometer for where we are and what we need to."
The Salukis will open MVC competition on the road at Evansville on Jan. 1.
Following the conference regular season, all 10 teams will take part in the MVC Tournament, which will be held at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo. (March 12-15) for the second-straight year.