KUTZTOWN, PA (August 18, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's basketball team released its 2010-11 schedule Wednesday afternoon. The action-packed slate features 14 home games and contests against three teams that participated in the 2010 NCAA Division II tournament. (CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE 2010-11 SCHEDULE)
In an oddity, Kutztown might as well apply for associate membership in the Central Collegiate Athletic Conference as it will play seven of its members beginning with its season opener at Holy Family University on Wednesday, November 17. Following that contest, Kutztown begins its longest home stand of the season, four games with a matchup against Wilmington University on Saturday, November 20.
Overall, the Golden Bears have three separate homestands of three of more games this season. Four of Kutztown's 26 opponents are different from last year's slate including the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover opponents. Kutztown will host Mercyhurst (Monday, January 3) and Slippery Rock (Tuesday, January 4) and visit California, Pa (Saturday, January 8) and Indiana, Pa (Sunday, January 9).
The Golden Bears begin PSAC East competition on Wednesday, January 12 when they visit Shippensburg. Kutztown's home conference opener will be against Bloomsburg on Saturday, January 16, in a rematch of last year's entertaining PSAC quarterfinal playoff contest eventually won by Kutztown, 64-57, in overtime.
Kutztown finishes its regular season schedule with a matinee against reigning PSAC East champion Millersville on Saturday, February 26. The Golden Bears will play five of their seven conference home games in February. The PSAC playoffs start on Tuesday, March 1 and the PSAC Final Four will be at the site of the highest remaining Eastern Division team on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5.
Among some of the Golden Bears key returnees will be senior forward Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler), senior guard Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) and senior forward Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, PA/Trinity). McQuade was selected to the PSAC East first team. McQuade enters the season with 1,166 points after leading the Golden Bears in scoring (15.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.1). Starr contributed 8.3 points last season and handed out 94 assists. Murray averaged 7.3 points per game.
Kutztown won 19 games and advanced to the PSAC semifinals last season before losing to eventual NCAA Division II Final Four participant and No. 1-ranked Gannon University.
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