2011-12 Women's Basketball Schedule

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois head women's basketball coach Brady Sallee has announced the 2011-12 schedule that includes 13 games inside Lantz Arena. Sallee enters his eighth year at the helm of the program this upcoming season.

"As always, we have put together a very competitive schedule and look forward to not only playing the teams on our non-conference slate but also in the OVC, which I believe has the potential to be as good as it has ever been,” said Sallee. “I was always a big proponent of playing 16 league games and appreciate the extra opportunities to play some people that we haven't had a chance to play in my time here.

“We are excited about our two-game trip to California and, of course, we like to play the big boys and look forward to our trips to Xavier and Missouri. I enjoy the challenge that playing the Missouri Valley Conference schools and the Mid-American Conference schools brings to the table. I know our fans will also look forward to our home games against Illinois State, Indiana State and Northern Illinois along with the renewal of a long-time rival in Western Illinois."

EIU's schedule is highlighted by facing opponents from eight different conferences in addition to 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Xavier. The Panthers also play a return visit to Big 12 member Missouri on Dec. 7, a team that EIU defeated a year ago inside Lantz Arena.

The Panthers open the season at home against Oakland City University on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Other non-conference home games include matchups against Illinois State (Nov. 21), Western Illinois (Dec. 5), Indiana State (Dec. 10) and Northern Illinois (Dec. 29).

EIU plays eight non-conference away games starting with a trip to Peoria, Ill., to face Bradley on Nov. 15. The Panthers take a trip to California for matchups at San Jose State (Nov. 23) and at Sacramento State (Nov. 26) to close out the month of November. The final five non-conference road games are against Missouri (Dec. 7), IUPUI (Dec. 17), Valparaiso (Dec. 20), UIC (Dec. 22) and Xavier (Jan. 4).

The Panthers begin playing a new 16-game Ohio Valley Conference schedule format at home on Jan. 2 against Murray State before playing their next two OVC contests on the road at SIU Edwardsville (Jan. 9) and at Southeast Missouri State (Jan. 14). EIU then plays its next three games at home against UT Martin (Jan. 16), Austin Peay (Jan. 21) and Tennessee State (Jan. 23).

After a road swing to Jacksonville State (Jan. 28) and Murray State (Jan. 30), the Panthers return to Lantz Arena for three games against Southeast Missouri State (Feb. 1), Morehead State (Feb. 4) and Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 6).

EIU plays four of its final five OVC contests on the road versus UT Martin (Feb. 11), Tennessee Tech (Feb. 13), Morehead State (Feb. 23) and Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 25). The Panthers final home game is slated for Feb. 18 against SIU Edwardsville.

The OVC Tournament returns to Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 29 - March 3.