SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Missouri State women's basketball team will get the 2009-10 season underway this weekend with a Sunday afternoon exhibition contest against Missouri Western at JQH Arena. The 2:05 p.m. match-up is the first of two preseason contests for the Lady Bears, who will welcome Arkansas Tech to Springfield on November 7, to close out the exhibition season.

Led by a deep sophomore class that accounted for over two-thirds of their offense in 2008-09, the Lady Bears were picked seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. Missouri State returns four starters and eight letterwinners from last year's squad, including preseason all-MVC selection Casey Garrison.

Third-year head coach Nyla Milleson's squad will open the regular season Saturday, November 14, with a home tilt against Georgetown.

Tickets for all 2009-10 Lady Bear home games are currently available at the Missouri State Athletics Box Office, by calling (417) 836-7678 or (888) 476-7849 and at www.MissouriStateTix.com.