July 23, 2009
View the 2009-10 LMU Non-conference schedule here.
LOS ANGELES - Six home games, including the annual Thanksgiving Tournament, highlight the 2009-10 Loyola Marymount University Women's Basketball non-conference schedule, which was officially released Thursday. The schedule is heavy on regional opponents, with nine games slated against teams from California, including five versus teams from the Big West Conference. The Lions will also get their fill of teams with postseason experience as they could face as many as four teams that played in last season's NCAA Tournament and a further three that participated in the WNIT.
"We are extremely excited about our pre-season schedule," Head Coach Julie Wilhoit said. "In order to compete in the WCC and win a championship, the pre-season schedule must be competitive. It is designed to prepare us for our competitive championship race. We face a number of teams that have postseason experience, which will help prepare us for our own postseason run."
Fans will get their first look at the 2009-10 Lions on November 6 with an exhibition game at Gersten Pavilion against The Master's College. The official season-opener occurs a week later as LMU travels to Dallas, Tex., to face Southern Methodist University, who parctipated in last year's Women's National Invitational Tournament. The quick weekend turn-around brings the Lions back to Southern California for three consecutive games in seven days against members of the Big West Conference. On Monday, November 16, LMU heads down the coast to Long Beach State, followed by the team's home opener on Friday, November 20 versus UC Irvine. The week concludes with a bus trip up the 101 for a Sunday afternoon title with Big West champions UC Santa Barbara.
For the 13th consecutive year, LMU will play host to a Thanksgiving Tournament, with this year's scheduled for Friday-Saturday, November 27-28 and sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside. The two-day, four-team classic brings in some of the best competition that the tournament has seen from across the country. South Florida, the 2009 WNIT Champion, will play Big Sky champion and NCAA Tournament participant Montana in one semifinal with LMU taking on Saint Louis in the other. The consolation and championship games will be Saturday afternoon.
A heavy dose of games awaits the Lions in December, with eight games on the docket, four at home, four on the road. LMU visits San Jose State on Wednesday, December 2, before hosting NCAA participants Fresno State on Saturday, December 5. The following week, the Lions take to the road for two games, making the short drive to Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday, December 9, and flying out to New Mexico on Saturday, December 12. The Lions will surely be tested at The Pit, which is not only one of the toughest arenas to play in but is also home to the Lobos, who reached the WNIT quarterfinals last year.
With students on Winter Break, three of the final four games of 2009 will be at home and are scheduled as doubleheaders with the LMU men's team. On Saturday, December 19, the LMU women host Cal Poly, followed by the men against Cal State Bakersfield. Two nights later, the women will match up against San Diego State before the men take on Long Beach State. San Diego State is another NCAA Tournament team from last season, having reached the second round. A quick trip up the 405 on December 28 sees LMU renew its local rivalry with UCLA in the teams' first meeting since 1996. Then it's back to Gersten on December 30 as both the women and men host Seattle University.
West Coast Conference play will begin on January 7 and the WCC Tournament will be held March 5-8. The WCC schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
LMU went 18-12 last season. The Lions lost just one senior from that squad and return four starters in 2009-10. Fans can follow the Lions on LMULions.com, and on Twitter.com/LMULions or Facebook.com/LMULions.
- GO LIONS -
