Murray State University Athletics
Women?s Basketball Unveils Challenging 2009-10 Schedule
9/8/2009 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Murray State women's basketball team announced its 2009-10 schedule Tuesday. This season includes renewed regional rivalries and games against nationally renowned programs.
The Racers will open the season with a trip to Alabama A&M, Nov. 13. The Bulldogs made the trip to the RSEC a season ago and MSU earned a 90-69 win.
“The series with Alabama A&M is a great series to have,” said head coach Rob Cross. “Coach Warmley always prepares her team for our games and is always tough.”
MSU will then battle with nationally renowned Memphis, Nov. 15 before heading home to defend its 19-game home-winning streak. The first test in the RSEC will be Mid-Continent, Nov. 18. The Racers battle regional rival Evansville, Nov. 21.
“I am glad that we were able to continue the regional rivalry with Evansville this season,” Cross added. “Coach Murphy always has a very talented team.”
MSU heads to Atlanta, Ga. for the Georgia State Tournament over Thanksgiving weekend. The other teams participating are Troy and Morgan State.
The Racers will play at home December 3 and 5 against Ohio Valley Conference rivals Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. The rest of the month MSU will spend on the road, facing strong competition.
The first stop of the five-game road swing will be at nationally renowned Missouri, Dec. 13. Three days later (Dec. 16) MSU plays Missouri State, a team that advanced to the 2001 Women's Final Four.
The next stop in the road swing is in Carbondale, Ill., when the Racers renew a regional rivalry with Southern Illinois, Dec. 19. The final game before the Christmas break is against IUPUI, Dec. 21. The last game of the 2009 portion of the season is in Huntington, W.V. against Marshall, Dec. 29.
“I am really excited about our December schedule this year,” said Cross. “We will not only get to play against nationally known opponents, but we also get to renew a regional rivalry with the Salukis. I like to schedule regional teams because I think it is good not only for our program, but for the fans as well.”
The Racers start OVC action in full force Jan. 4 with a home game against UT Martin. Most of the remaining conference portion of the schedule has the Racers playing two road contests followed by two games in the confines of the RSEC. The only exception will be a three-game road-trip starting with Eastern Illinois, Jan. 21 that includes match-ups with Southeast Missouri State (Jan. 23) and UT Martin (Jan. 30).
This season's OVC Tournament Championship will be held at Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., March 5-6, with the quarterfinals games being held on campus sites, March 2.
