EIU Women's Basketball Schedule Released

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women’s basketball will host two in-state rivals along with regional rival Indiana State as part of the Panthers 2013-14 home schedule that was released by EIU head coach Debbie Black.  EIU has made four straight post-season appearances advancing to the second round of the Women’s NIT in 2013 after winning the regular season OVC title.

The season tips off on the road on Friday, Nov. 8 at Evansville.  The Panthers then return to Lantz Arena for their home opener on Nov. 12 against Indiana State.  The first week of the season concludes with a road trip to Saint Louis on Nov. 15.

A highlight on the schedule for women’s basketball fans comes early in the season as the Panthers host Loyola-Chicago on Nov. 21.  The Ramblers are coached by former WNBA All-Star Sheryl Swoopes. The Panthers are coached by former WNBA All-Star Debbie Black as the two will now face off as head coaches of NCAA Division I programs after their teams battled in the WNBA ranks.

The annual Kid’s Day Game will feature Western Illinois with a 12 p.m. (Noon) tip off in Lantz Arena on Monday, Nov. 25.

The Panthers will play in the first of two in-season tournaments over Thanksgiving weekend when they travel to the UMKC Plaza Lights Tournament on Nov. 29-30.  EIU will also play in the North Florida Holiday Tournament on Dec. 20-21.  EIU’s other two non-conference December games are at Bradley on Dec. 4 and at Southern Illinois on Dec. 16.

Ohio Valley Conference play opens at home for the defending champions with three straight games right after the Christmas Holiday.  Tennessee State opens the OVC slate on Dec. 28 followed by Morehead State on Jan. 4 and Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 6.  EIU will play the three other OVC East Division opponents on the road visiting Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech in mid-January.  EIU closes out crossover play on Feb. 22 at Belmont.

EIU’s first OVC West Division game is Jan. 18 at home against Austin Peay.  The Panthers final home game of the season is Feb. 27 against UT Martin.  The final regular season game is at SIU Edwardsville on March 1.  The OVC West Division teams include Austin Peay, Murray State, Southeast Missouri, SIUE and UT Martin, with each team playing home and home with EIU this season.

The OVC Tournament will once again be played in Nashville, Tenn., at the Municipal Auditorium on March 5-8.

Ticket information and complete game times for the 2013-14 season will be released in the coming weeks.

2013-14 EIU Women’s Basketball Schedule

Nov. 8          at Evansville

Nov. 12         Indiana State

Nov. 15         at Saint Louis

Nov. 21         Loyola-Chicago

Nov. 25         Western Illinois (Kid’s Day)

Nov. 29         vs. UAB (at UMKC Tourney)

Nov. 30         at UMKC

Dec. 4          at Bradley

Dec. 16         at Southern Illinois

Dec. 20         vs. Georgia Southern (UNF Tourney)

Dec. 21         vs. Air Force (UNF Tourney)

Dec. 28         * Tennessee State

Jan. 4          * Morehead State

Jan. 6          * Eastern Kentucky

Jan. 11         * at Jacksonville State

Jan. 13         * at Tennessee Tech

Jan. 18         * Austin Peay

Jan. 20         * Murray State

Jan. 25         * at Southeast Missouri

Jan. 27         * at UT Martin

Feb. 1          * SIU Edwardsville

Feb. 8          * Southeast Missouri

Feb. 15         * at Murray State

Feb. 17         * at Austin Peay

Feb. 22         * at Belmont

Feb. 27         * UT Martin

March 1 * at SIU Edwardsville

March 5-8       * at OVC Tournament (Nashville, Tenn.)