KSU Releases Women's Basketball Schedule

A road game against local rival Georgia Tech and an appearance in the 16-team Women's Preseason National Invitation Tournament highlight the 2012-13 Kennesaw State University women's basketball schedule that was released by first-year head coach Nitra Perry.

Taking over a program that posted a 14-17 overall record and tied for fifth in the Atlantic Sun Conference a year ago, Perry will make her Owls coaching debut in a WNIT first-round game at Middle Tennessee State University on Nov. 9. in Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

Kennesaw State will play a second-round game against either Grambling State or Memphis on Nov. 11. 

Middle Tennessee State, Georgia Tech and Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Champion Florida Gulf Coast University join potential Preseason WNIT opponents Delaware and Iowa as teams on KSU's schedule that advanced
to the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

"I think our schedule for this season lines up with our goals we have set for ourselves," Perry said. "We have a tough non-conference slate, but one that will give us confidence heading into Atlantic Sun Conference play. I am extremely excited to play Middle Tennessee State. They are a great team that has established a tradition of winning and will be an excellent bar for which Kennesaw State can measure itself against. This is an awesome opportunity and challenge for our program."

The Blue Raiders are coming off a 26-7 season a year ago that included advancing to the championship game of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game and a first-round loss to Vanderbilt in the the NCAA Tournament.

Eleven of the 16 WNIT teams are coming off postseason berths in 2012. The
field features Davidson, Delaware, Duquesne, Georgetown, Grambling State,
Illinois State, Iowa, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Morehead State, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, Sacred Heart and Sam Houston State.

The Preseason WNIT features a three-game guarantee format. The semifinals
will be Nov. 14-15; and the championship game is set for Sunday, Nov. 18. Teams that lose in the first two rounds will play consolation games on the
second weekend, Nov. 16-17. All games are hosted by participating schools.

Kennesaw State faces a tough early test as nine of its first 10 games are on the road. The Owls' lone home appearance is Nov. 21 against Troy. 

After opening their season with a pair WNIT contests, the Owls will travel down I-75 to take on Georgia Tech in a Nov. 13 contest at the newly constructed McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta.

Following its home-opener against Troy, Kennesaw State will head back out on the road for five straight games against Wofford (Nov. 24), Jacksonville State (Nov. 28), Georgia State (Dec. 2), University of North Carolina at Asheville (Dec. 13) and Texas State (Dec. 18).

The Owls close out their non-conference slate with home games against Georgia Southern (Dec. 21) and Gardner-Web (Dec. 28).

Kennesaw State begins its 18-game A-Sun Conference schedule on Dec. 31 with a home contest against defending conference champion Florida Gulf
Coast University. It marks the first of three straight home conference games for the Owls, who also will entertain Stetson (Jan. 2) and rival Mercer (Jan. 5). 

History will be made on Jan. 26 when Kennesaw State makes its initial trip to Highland Heights, Ky., to face A-Sun newcomer Northern Kentucky. The Norse also will be part of Kennesaw State's Senior Day on Feb. 25.

The Atlantic Sun Championship Tournament is scheduled for Mar. 6-9 in Macon where Mercer will host the event for the second straight year. 

Kennesaw State returns all five starters from last year's squad, including standout sophomore guards Taylor Mills and Kristina Wells. Mills earned A-Sun Freshman of the Year honors after posting team-leading totals of
12.2 points and 4.1 assists a game. Wells had an excellent rookie campaign as she ranked second among A-Sun freshmen in seven different categories en route to being named to the A-Sun's All-Freshman Team.

"We return all but one (player) from last year and have four seniors to provide leadership for this team," Perry said. "We will contend for 40 minutes and the basis surrounding this team is to be tough and give our best effort from the opening whistle to the final horn. This team will compete for our seniors, and it should be an exciting season for a team that is on the rise."

The Owls will make season debut in an exhibition game against Southern Tech on Nov. 2 in the KSU Convocation Center.

All KSU conference games can be viewed live on the Internet via A-Sun TV.