Nov. 13, 2009
WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University women's basketball team will open the 2009-10 season Saturday afternoon against the Missouri State Lady Bears. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET at the JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo. This game marks the first meeting between the two squads and Georgetown's first time against the Missouri Valley Conference. Last year, the BIG EAST was 5-1 against MVC opponents.
Georgetown is coming off one of its best season in program history with a run to the WNIT quarterfinals. The Hoyas return 12 letterwinners including 4 starters, but lost leading scorer Karee Houlette to graduation. Georgetown added McDonald's All-American Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers (Suffolk, Va./King's Fork) who will see time at shooting guard and will look to fill the scoring void left by Houlette.
The Hoyas were 20-14 overall last season and tied for ninth in the BIG EAST with a 7-9 conference mark. This was the first time since 1992-93 that the Blue & Gray hit 20 wins. That season the squad advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Missouri State had a 10-20 season last year but boasts a talented sophomore class. Last year, rookie Casey Garrison led all Division I true freshmen in total scoring with 476 points. She earned first-team All-MVC recognition and the league's Freshman of the Year honor. The Lady Bears are 20-20 in season openers, but have lost five straight.
The game at Missouri State marks a homecoming for Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. She was an assistant coach with the Lady Bears for two seasons leading them to a 46-17 overall record, two MVC Tournament Championships, two NCAA Tournament appearances, and one MVC Regular Season Championship.
Live stats and a webcast will be available at the Missouri State athletic website. The opening tip is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET.
