Women's basketball announces 2016-17 schedule
9/8/2016 3:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FULL SCHEDULE
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State women's basketball program will play 12 home games and pay visits to Arkansas, TCU and LSU among others during the 2016-17 schedule, head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols announced Thursday.
The Bearkats host Our Lady of the Lake in exhibition play on Nov. 5 and return to Johnson Coliseum for the regular-season home opener against Wiley College on Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. for the annual “Pack The House” game.
After taking on UT Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 21, Sam Houston hits the road for eight straight including visits to LSU (Dec. 14) and Texas State (Dec. 19). The Kats tip of Southland Conference play with road action against Houston Baptist (Jan. 2) and McNeese (Jan. 5).
“I think anytime you play a tough non-conference game it can help you in the Southland,” head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols said. “I believe everyone in the Southland brings something different. I think in the past we played a pretty tough non-conference schedule and has prepared us to go at when it's time to play the real game.
Sam Houston will play four league home games in January beginning with Nicholls on Jan. 7. The Kats play four straight at Johnson Coliseum against Lamar (Jan. 18), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Jan. 21), Southeastern Louisiana (Jan. 28) and Stephen F. Austin (Feb. 2).
“We have five returners and a brand new team,” Welch-Nichols said. “We have only been on the court a handful of times. It's exciting and fun to have a whole new group to blend in with our returners. I'm just looking forward to seeing what we can do.”
The squad also hosts Houston Baptist (Feb. 11), Northwestern State (Feb. 23) and Abilene Christian (Feb. 25) before closing out the home slate against McNeese on March 2. After reaching the Southland Conference Tournament championship game a season ago, the Kats will be vying for more March 7-12 at the league tournament in Katy.
After qualifying for four straight Southland Tournaments during 2010-2013, the Bearkats returned to contention a season ago, besting Nicholls, Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State in route to the finals. In Southland games, the Kats ranked first in assists (15.11) were third in blocked shots (3.28).
“I think it makes a big difference returning the five we have,” Welch-Nichols said. “They've been there and know what it takes to win it all. Those seniors have to lead and get this younger group to believe. They were seven points from going to the NCAA Tournament. They know what it takes to Katy and go four games deep.”
