Stephen F. Austin

Aug. 26, 2002

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team released its schedule for the 2002-03 season announced SFA head coach Lee Ann Riley Monday morning. The 2002-03 slate is highlighted by games against four opponents that advanced to the 2002 NCAA tournament, including 2002 NCAA runner-up Oklahoma.

The Ladyjacks kick-off the 2002-03 season Nov. 23, in Fayetteville, Ark., against 2002 NCAA tournament-participant Arkansas. SFA travels to San Antonio, Texas for the UTSA Tournament Nov. 29-30, where the Ladyjacks open up against Wichita State. SFA returns to the court the following day to take on 2002 Women's National Invitational Tournament-participant Alabama. The Ladyjacks stay on the road for a Dec. 5 showdown against 2002 NCAA runner-up Oklahoma. Three nights later SFA will be in Fort Collins, Colo., to battle Colorado State. The Ladyjacks close out the six-game road swing with its third consecutive game against a 2002 NCAA tournament team, when they travel to Ruston, La., for a Dec. 16 showdown against Louisiana Tech. The Ladyjacks close out the 2002-03 non-conference schedule with their home opener against Auburn on Dec. 20.

The Ladyjacks will have seven days off for the Holidays before opening the conference slate at Louisiana-Monroe Dec. 28. SFA will open the home portion of its Southland Conference schedule Dec. 30 against Southwest Texas. The Ladyjacks open the New Year against McNeese State Jan. 4th. SFA then hits the road for dates at Nicholls State (Jan. 9th) and Southeastern Louisiana (Jan. 11th). SFA hosts Lamar (Jan. 16th) and Sam Houston State (Jan. 18th) before traveling to San Antonio for a Jan. 22 showdown with the Roadrunners. The Ladyjacks return home for a Jan. 25th meeting with Texas-Arlington before hitting the road again for their longest SLC road swing, with dates at Northwestern State (Feb. 1st), Texas-Arlington (Feb. 6) and McNeese State (Feb. 8). SFA returns home for the rematch with Nicholls State (Feb. 13th) and Southeastern Louisiana (Feb. 15th). The Ladyjacks will be in Beaumont, Texas, on Feb. 20 to take on Lamar. Two nights later, SFA travels to Huntsville, Texas, to take on Sam Houston State (Feb. 22). The Ladyjacks will square off against Texas-San Antonio on Feb. 26 at the William R. Johnson Coliseum before hitting the road for the final conference road game of the season at Southwest Texas (Mar. 1). SFA closes out the 2002-03 regular season with back-to-back home contests against Louisiana-Monroe (Mar. 5th) and Northwestern State (Mar. 7th).

"We made the commitment when we came here to do what it takes to get this program back to where we want it to be," said Riley. "We are an awfully young team so I don't know if we are ready to play this kind of schedule. But if we want to build a program we have to play great teams. We are excited about the season and have high expectations. With the number of freshman coming in and only three returnees from last season we're biting off a lot but that is exciting to the players. The thing that really excites me is that we will be bringing these teams back into William R. Johnson Coliseum."

-SFA-