Murray State University Athletics
Lady Racers release 2005-06 schedule
9/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Murray State Lady Racers announced their 2005-06 women's basketball schedule, a challenging slate that features four teams that saw post-season action.
Murray State opens the regular-season slate with a three-game homestand, beginning Nov. 19 against Ball State, which tied for second in the Mid-American Conference West Division. The Lady Racers host regional rivals Southern Illinois on Nov. 22 and Western Kentucky, which won the Sun Belt Conference's East Division and advanced to the Women's NIT last season, on Nov. 26.
Murray State then visits Northern Iowa, which tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference last year, before taking part in the State Farm Tiger Classic at Missouri. The Lady Racers open against Alcorn State -- last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, which played in the NCAA Championship -- on Dec. 2, then will play host Missouri or Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the final round on Dec. 3.
MSU will travel to UNC Charlotte, a team that played in last year's Women's NIT, on Dec. 28 to close out its non-conference schedule.
"We are excited to play such a challenging schedule," said MSU head coach Joi Felton. "This schedule will help us prepare for the 20-game OVC schedule."
Murray State opens its Ohio Valley Conference slate at home on Dec. 8, hosting last year's champion, Eastern Kentucky, which played in the 2005 NCA Championship Tournament.
The OVC slate features a four-game road swing Dec. 18-Jan. 2, followed by a three-game homestand on Jan. 5-12, equaling the longest homestand on the schedule.
The final game of that homestand also begins alternating home and road games over an eight-game stretch from Jan. 12 (Austin Peay at home) through Feb. 9 (at Eastern Kentucky).
"The OVC season begins early this year, with the 20-game schedule," Felton said. "We are looking forward to facing the challenge this schedule presents us."
Murray State has two home exhibition dates on its 2005-06 calendar. The Lady Racers will host Blue Chip All-Stars on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. A second exhibition -- set for Nov. 10 -- does not yet have an opponent.
