September 23, 2003

Butler Releases 2003-04 Women's Basketball Schedule

**Click here to view the 2003-04 Women's Basketball Schedule.

Sept. 23, 2003

The Hawkeye Challenge and Miami Thanksgiving Classic highlight Butler's 2003-04 women's basketball schedule, as the team will prepare for Horizon League action with a tough non-conference slate.

The team will be away from Hinkle Fieldhouse until Dec. 9 as the team travels to Iowa City for the KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge and Coconut Grove, Fla. for the Miami Thanksgiving Classic. The Bulldogs' non-conference schedule also includes the annual Hoosier State Classic, where Butler faces Valparaiso Dec. 6.

"We really feel that we've put together a competitive non-conference schedule," said coach Beth Couture, entering her second season on the Butler sidelines. "Hopefully the time spent together on the road early in the season provides us with an opportunity to bond as a team and prepares us for what we know will be a challenging Horizon League schedule."

The Bulldogs open the home portion of their schedule Dec. 9, hosting the Purple Aces of Evansville. The Horizon League schedule begins Jan. 3 as the Phoenix of UW-Green Bay come to Hinkle. The Jan. 3 tilt is the first of two games in one week against the reigning Horizon League champions.

"We're really excited about our team this season," said Couture. "We return a lot of players who have been working extremely hard and are looking to be competitive in a very good basketball conference."

The Bulldogs return 11 letterwinners from the 2002-03 squad, who accounted for 97 percent of Butler's scoring and 91 percent of the team's rebounding. All five starters return, highlighted by senior point guard Nancy Bowden's 10.1 ppg and 6.6 apg. Seniors Tiffany Smith, Lisa Pryor and Angel Mason also averaged double figures last season.

Couture and her staff welcome four new faces into the mix, including point guard Jackie Closser, who was named to the 2003 Indiana All-Star team and junior transfer Courtney Lickliter.

Contact the Butler Athletics Ticket Office at (317) 940-9390 for information on season ticket packages.