July 21, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione and head coach Sherri Coale announced the 2009-10 women's basketball schedule Tuesday.

"We're looking forward to the challenge of another strong schedule that, once again, includes games against Tennessee and Connecticut," Coale said. "Our rigorous pre-conference schedule will once again prepare us for the eternally tough conference road. Our difficulty of schedule was a key component of our successes last year -- winning a Big 12 Championship and reaching the Final Four."

The Sooners open with Mercer on Nov. 13 at and have their featured home contest against defending national champions Connecticut on Feb. 15. OU also has non-conference home games at the Lloyd Noble Center with TCU (Nov. 21), Texas-Arlington (Dec. 2), Arkansas (Dec. 5), Cal State Fullerton (Dec. 30).

OU travels to Georgia (Nov. 15), Marist (Dec. 9), Army (Dec. 10), Creighton (Dec. 20) and perennial powerhouse Tennessee (Jan. 3) for its non-conference road games.

The Sooners will also play three games at the Paradise Jam Women's Basketball Tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands Nov. 26-28. South Carolina, San Diego State and Notre Dame, respectively, will be the opponents.

Big 12 play begins Jan. 9 with a home game versus Texas Tech. The regular season concludes March 7 at the Lloyd Noble Center versus Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma will play exhibition games at the Lloyd Noble Center on Nov. 4 versus Rogers State and Nov. 10 against Oklahoma Christian. Both exhibitions tip off at 7 p.m.

Tip times, television broadcast and ticket information will be announced at a later date.