Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIU Women's Basketball announces non-conference schedule
08/26/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill - Southern Illinois women's basketball head coach Cindy Stein announced the 2015-16 non-conference schedule on Wednesday.
The non-conference schedule features a pair of exhibition games and an appearance in the Preseason WNIT.
After home exhibition games against Maryville (Oct. 30) and Kentucky Wesleyan (Nov. 7), the Salukis will open the regular season with a trip to Chicago for a Preseason WNIT first round matchup against the defending Big East champion DePaul (Nov. 13). It will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2011.
Southern opens the home slate of the non-conference schedule on Nov. 25 when UT-Martin visits SIU Arena. SIU won last season's matchup against the Skyhawks, 87-78.
Next up is a two-game road trip at Memphis (Nov. 29) and Murray State (Dec. 2). Southern beat both teams last season, earning an 82-75 win over the Tigers and a 78-63 win over the Racers.
SIU and SIUE renew their in-state rivalry on Dec. 4, when the Cougars visit Carbondale for the first time since 2011.
The in-state competition continues for the Salukis, with a trip to Champaign, Ill. for a Dec. 8 showdown with Illinois. SIU will look to earn its first win against the Fighting Illini since 1993.
The Salukis return home on Dec. 12 to host Morehead State. SIU defeated the Eagles, 75-66, last season in Morehead, Ky.
Southern ends the non-conference regular season with games at Mercer (Dec. 19) and SEMO (Dec. 22) before returning home for a Dec. 28 game against Marshall.
"We are excited to be in the Preseason WNIT because it is a great way of seeing what level we are at," said head coach Cindy Stein. "The rest of our schedule is also going to be very competitive. Two road games that stick out are the Illinois and Memphis games. Our non-conference schedule is going to prepare us for a rigorous Missouri Valley schedule."
SIU returns all five starters from last year's team, including First-Team All-MVC selections Rishonda Napier and Dyana Pierre.
SIU women's basketball season tickets are on sale now with prices starting at $150 for courtside seats, $50 for adults, and $40 for youth. Faculty and staff can purchase season tickets for $40, while the Family 4-Pack can be purchased for $100. The Paw Pass, which is good for one admission to volleyball, women's basketball, and softball games is available for $90. Tickets can be purchased on-line at SIUSalukis.com or by calling 877-SALUKIS.
| 2015-2016 SCHEDULE |
| Date | Opponent / Event | Location | Time / Result |
| Exhibition | |||
| Fri., Oct. 30 | vs. Maryville | Carbondale, Ill. | 6:00 p.m. CT |
| Sat., Nov. 7 | vs. Kentucky Wesleyan | Carbondale, Ill. | 2:00 p.m. CT |
 | |||
| Preseason WNIT | |||
| Fri., Nov. 13 | at DePaul | Chicago, Ill. | 7:00 p.m. CT |
| | |||
| Wed., Nov. 25 | vs. Tennessee-Martin | Carbondale, Ill. | 6:00 p.m. CT |
| Sun., Nov. 29 | at Memphis | Memphis, Tenn. | TBA |
| Wed., Dec. 2 | at Murray State | Murray, Ky. | TBA |
| Fri., Dec. 4 | vs. SIUE | Carbondale, Ill. | 12:00 p.m. CT |
| Tue., Dec. 8 | at Illinois | Champaign, Ill. | TBA |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | vs. Morehead State | Carbondale, Ill. | 3:00 p.m. CT |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | at Mercer | Macon, Ga. | TBA |
| Tue., Dec. 22 | at SEMO | Cape Girardeau, Mo. | 12:00 p.m. CT |
| Mon., Dec. 28 | vs. Marshall | Carbondale, Ill. | 2:00 p.m. CT |
