Nov. 13, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

DEKALB, Ill.-The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team embarks on its 2008-09 campaign when the Huskies play host to IUPUI Friday night at the Convocation Center. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.

"Our young ladies are excited to get started," NIU head coach Carol Owens said. "It's been a longtime coming. We're really looking forward to the first game. IUPUI will be a really good opponent. They'll do a lot of different things against us, and we expect that."

Tickets are available at www.niuhuskies.com or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 815-752-6800. A season ticket package for both the men's and women's basketball teams is available for $135, while single game tickets for women's basketball games can be purchased for $5.

The Huskies will usher in a new season in the Convo for the fourth straight year. Northern Illinois is 29-19 in home openers and 32-19 in season openers all-time, and NIU has posted a 3-0 mark in both season and home openers under NIU head coach Carol Owens. The Huskies won last season's home and season opener, posting a 54-48 victory over Bradley Nov. 9, 2007. NIU is 253-157 all-time at home and are 25-12 under Owens in DeKalb.

With four seniors and two juniors on the team, the Huskies will not be short on veteran leadership this season. NIU returns nine letterwinners from last season, including four starters. Eight of the nine returning letterwinners started at least one game last season, and three of the eight started at least 20.

Junior Kylie York (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) is the Huskies' top returning scorer from last season's squad. She averaged 10.9 points a game and led the Huskies in free throw percentage going 28-31 from the charity stripe in 2007-08. York is the Huskies top three-point shooter, connecting from downtown a team-high 77 times last year, three shy of the school record.

NIU welcomes four new members to the floor this season to compliment the Huskies wealth of experience. Marke Freeman, who sat out last season per NCAA transfer regulations, begins her first full season with the Huskies this year. She is joined by three freshmen, Sarah Rogers, Courtney Shelton and Tenisha Wilson. Freeman, in particular, made a good impression in the Huskies' exhibition game Monday night, leading all scorers with 19 points.

"Marke's going to impact our offense in a lot of different ways," Owens said. "She can score, but she can create for others. That's a presence you want from your point guard. She exemplifies natural leadership and that's what you want from your point guard."

IUPUI enters 2008-09 looking to build on a successful 2007-08 season. IUPUI posted a 17-16 overall record and an 11-7 mark in Summit League play. The Jaguars also have return six letterwinners and lost six. Four of the returners started last season. IUPUI has won the last two meetings between the two schools, winning the most recent contest, 58-55, at home Dec. 29, 2007.

The NIU Marketing Department has several exciting promotions going for the Huskies' home opener. Students sitting Section 101 will have a chance to win tickets for the upcoming Young Jeezy Concert being held at the Convocation Center Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 and will be treated to free popcorn. Also, fans will receive the Official 2008-09 Women's Basketball T-shirt sponsored by Midwest Orthopedic Institute and TCF Bank.

-NIU-