OKLAHOMA CITY (May 29, 2015) – Oklahoma Christian is back on an NCAA Division I women's basketball schedule for the 2015-16 season.
OC will open its two-game exhibition schedule on Nov. 2 with a game at Missouri Valley Conference power Wichita State, coach
Stephanie Findley said Friday. Tipoff for the game at WSU's Charles Koch Arena will be at 6 p.m.
It will be the first time OC has played a Division I opponent in an exhibition game since the 2012-13 season, when the Lady Eagles visited Oklahoma. It also will be the first time OC has played a Division I foe besides OU since Dec. 1, 2006, when the Lady Eagles hosted Missouri-Kansas City.
Findley said setting up the game was as simple as returning a message from Wichita State assistant coach Kirk Crawford, who contacted her inquiring about OC's availability for such a game.
"They just emailed me, asking if we wanted to play in an exhibition game, and I said, 'Sure.' He wanted the game pretty early and we're usually scrimmaging around that time anyway," Findley said.
Findley said she's not sure why Wichita State contacted her, but noted the Shockers played OC's Heartland Conference rival Newman (Kan.) in an exhibition game last season. Newman is located in Wichita.
"Maybe they're just looking for schools close-by," Findley said. "Maybe they know we've played OU before. But I didn't ask why. It's not a very long drive, and they asked if we'd be interested, and I said, 'Why not?' It gives you a chance to test yourself early."
Wichita State has made the postseason the past four seasons, playing in the WNIT in 2012 and qualifying for the NCAA tournament in 2013, 2014 and 2015 after winning the Missouri Valley title in each of those seasons. Last season, the Shockers finished 29-5, losing to California in an NCAA first-round game. The Shockers are coached by former Tennessee player Jody Adams.
OC will play a second exhibition game on Nov. 7 against York (Neb.), which will serve as the Lady Eagles' traditional homecoming contest. The remainder of OC's schedule will be announced next week.
