Women's Basketball 09/22/2022 | 10:01:00 By Tyler Dixon

The Southern Illinois Women's Basketball Team is 51 days away from defending its home court after a perfect season at Banterra Arena as the Salukis announced the 2022-23 campaign on Thursday. 

The non-conference portion of the schedule was announced Tuesday with the Salukis starting the regular season Nov. 12 against Middle Tennessee State after an exhibition matchup with McKendree University on Nov. 5. 

Southern will face IUPUI (Nov. 16 at home), Northwestern (Nov. 19 in Evanston), Memphis (Nov. 22 at home), Chicago State (Dec. 1 at home), Tennessee State (Dec. 7 at home) and St. Louis University (Dec. 21 in STL). SIU will also play in the Christmas City Classic, hosted by Lehigh University, Nov. 26-27 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.   

The Salukis will look to defend their 2021-22 Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championship Dec. 29 when Southern starts the conference slate on the road against Evansville before a Dec. 31 battle with Indiana State in Terre Haute. 

"As I said in our non-conference schedule release, we play November thru mid-December to prepare us for conference play," SIU Head Coach Kelly Bond-White said. "Our schedule is not for the faint of heart, but will make for some very competitive basketball. Our young ladies came here because the Missouri Valley is one of the premiere basketball conferences in the country, we look forward to the challenge."

The conference schedule moves to 20 games this season in addition to Murray State, Belmont and the University of Illinois-Chicago joining the MVC.

"The rich get richer! You are bringing in three quality coaches that are no strangers to the Missouri Valley area," Bond-White said. "I love the injection of our two neighbors (Murray & Belmont), both less than three hours away from our campus. Both have tremendous fan bases, that will add to our game. UIC keeps us in Chicago area, which is home to our largest Alumni base. After a successful SIU Takeover in the Chicagoland area with our administration, fan base, and watching our football team take down Northwestern, I'm excited to take my Chicagoans home for two games this season."

Southern has its first MVC matchups at Banterra when the Salukis host Bradley Jan. 5 and Illinois State on Jan. 7. 

The Salukis then hit the road for their next four games, their longest stint away from Carbondale this season. 

SIU plays Jan. 11 at Missouri State then heads to Chicago to take on the fresh-faced Flames of UIC on Jan. 14. The new-MVC member road trip continues with Murray State Jan. 20 then the Salukis will jump on I-24 to Nashville for the Belmont Bruins. 

The Salukis then return to Carbondale for four games, stating with the Drake Bulldogs on Jan. 26. Northern Iowa comes to town on Jan. 28. 

On Feb. 1, SIU welcomes the Missouri State Bears then on Feb. 4, Southern will take on Valparaiso. 

The Salukis play at Illinois State Feb. 10 and then take on Bradley Feb. 12 in Peoria before finishing February at home. 

SIU hosts Indiana State Feb. 23 then take on the Evansville Purple Aces on Feb. 25. 

Southern spends final weekend of the regular season on the road when it takes on Northern Iowa on March 2 then Drake on March. 4.  Bond-White said she's ready to see fans in the stands this season. Check out the link below or the QR code for links to season and single-game tickers to support the defending MVC Regular Season Champions. 

"Recruiting on a daily basis is the livelihood of any program. But I'll tell y'all what, I'm most excited to get off my phone. Off the road, and come from behind my desk. When our staff gets to hit the floor everyday for official practice, it is our sanctuary and the best feeling ever," Bond-White said. "I saw a couple of leaves changing, whipped out my hoodie this morning, so you know what that means? Hoops Season is upon us and there's still time to grab your tickets. When you see me walking up to your tailgate, cozy box, into your restaurant, bank, Hobby Lobby, office, or sneaking up to mic during announcements at church. You know what to do,. Scan my phone and buy those tickets. Our young ladies need you in the stands! Let's get it!"  The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament is scheduled for March 9-12 in Moline, Ill. at Vibrant Arena at The MARK. 

For season and single-game tickets: https://bit.ly/3SdoLaz

Nov. 5 v McKendree University (Exhibition)

Nov. 26-27 Christmas City Classic (Lehigh University | Bethlehem, Pa.)

March 9-12 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament (Moline, Ill.)

Women's Basketball announces non-conference slate

MVC WBB Media Day marks new beginnings

Salukis add transfer guard Shemera Williams

Women's Basketball brings in Central Arizona transfer Seairra Hughes

Women's Basketball Adds TCU Transfer Aja Holmes

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