Ladyjacks Announce 2016-2017 Schedule
9/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin women's basketball head coach Mark Kellogg announced today the complete schedule for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. The Ladyjacks will play 11 non-conference games before starting their 18 game conference season on New Years Eve.
2016-2017 LADYJACK SCHEDULE
The 2016-2017 opener is scheduled for Sunday, November 13th against South Dakota University. The game will be on the road at the Sanford Coyotes Sports Center with a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.
"We are pleased with our schedule this season," said Kellogg. "We will be tested early and often throughout the non-conference schedule. The goal is to be as prepared as possible for Southland Conference play. We will open up at South Dakota, the defending WNIT champions, and they will be christening a brand new arena. The crowd is expected to exceed 6,000 fans. That will be a tremendous test for our team right of the gates. "
SFA will have their home opener the following Wednesday, Nov. 16th against Oklahoma Panhandle State. The game is set to tip-off at 7:00 p.m.
The Ladyjacks will then go on a long on-the-road streak over Thanksgiving, playing first against the Aggies of Texas A&M on Nov. 20th. Then, the trip continues to play at George Mason on Nov. 23th and at Coppin State on Nov. 25th.
"We will get our toughest challenge of the season in a battle at Texas A&M and former SFA coach Gary Blair. Their size and athleticism will push us to execute exceptionally well," commented Kellogg.
LSU-Shreveport comes to town on Wednesday, Nov. 30th for a 7:00 p.m. tip before the Ladyjacks head out to Arlington to face UTA on December 3rd. Last season UTA and SFA closed a tight game, 67-63 with UTA coming out on top.
SFA heads again to Ruston, Louisiana on December 7th, for another rematch with LA Tech in a battle between two of the top seven winningest women's basketball programs in NCAA history. LA Tech has taken both games the past to years, and the Ladyjacks look to break that streak.
On December 10th, SFA will host a stretch of home games, starting with Montana at 5:00 p.m., then UT-Permian Basin on December 17th at 8:00 p.m., and finally against Prairie View A&M to wrap on the non-conference season on December 20th.
"Montana at home will highlight five home non-conference games and hopefully we continue to protect our home court," Kellogg added.
After the winter holidays, the Ladyjacks will host an exciting opener to Southland Conference play with a game against Houston Baptist on New Years Eve. The 2015-2016 season SFA went 12-6 in conference play, and the Ladyjacks will be looking to push that wins column even higher.
"The Southland Conference season will be challenging with some quality returning talent and unknown at the same time with several new coaches," said Kellogg. "Hopefully the non-conference schedule prepares us for success in Southland Conference play and ultimately for us to make a run in the postseason."
The 2016-2017 conference schedule has a new line up with SFA next taking on McNeese State on January 2nd in Lake Charles. Last year, the Ladyjacks won against the Cowgirls in a stellar 80-55 win.
Stephen F. Austin will play a scattered eight game season at home before the final regular season match up. The Ladyjacks will play Texas A&M Corpus Christi (Jan. 5), Nicholls State (Jan. 14), Central Arkansas (Jan. 25), New Orleans (Jan.28), Lamar (Feb.11), Abilene Christian (Feb. 16), and Northwestern State (Mar. 2).
Other than traveling to Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word (Jan. 12 and Jan. 21, respectively), the Ladyjacks will have two long stints of away games starting February 2nd in Huntsville, Texas, Natchitoches, La., and then Thibodaux, La. The second one the road series will on February 18th when the Ladyjacks face Southeastern Louisiana, New Orleans, and Central Arkansas
SFA will wrap up the regular season at home against the rival Sam Houston State on March 4th. The tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
The 2017 Southland Tournament is set to run from March 7th-12th in Katy, Texas.
Season tickets for the 2016-2017 men's and women's basketball season are now on sale through the SFA ticket office at (936)468-JACK (5225).
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