McLean County Times

Illinois State Women's Basketball has announced its 2024 non-conference schedule, featuring four games at CEFCU Arena.

"Once again, we feel like we have put together a non-conference schedule that will both challenge us and prepare us for conference play," Illinois State head coach Kristen Gillespie stated.

The team will face Illinois Wesleyan in an exhibition game on October 27 at CEFCU Arena. The Redbirds then begin the season with away games against Northwestern on November 6 and Saint Louis on November 12. This marks the first meeting between Illinois State and Northwestern since 2012, with Illinois State trailing in their all-time series 6-9. The matchup against Saint Louis is the fourth consecutive season they will meet, following Illinois State's victory last year.

The home schedule includes games against first-time opponents Le Moyne on November 17 and Harvard on November 24. The Redbirds will also compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase starting November 29 in Fort Myers, Florida, where they will face Boise State. Other teams in the showcase include West Virginia, High Point, Butler, Santa Clara, Texas, and New Mexico State.

Post-Thanksgiving matchups feature three familiar opponents from last season: Saint Francis (Ill.) on December 4 for Education Day, Marquette on December 8, and Chicago State on December 15. The non-conference schedule concludes with a home game against UAB on December 20.

Last season under Gillespie's leadership, the Redbirds reached the WNIT Super 16 and secured a second consecutive 20-win campaign for the first time since the early 2010s. Key returning players include All-MVC Freshman Team selection Shannon Dowell and veteran point guard Maya Wong. New additions to the team are Elyce Knudsen from Millikin University, Addi Martin from Abilene Christian University, and Nevaeh Thomas from Evansville University.

For more information about tickets and other updates, visit GoRedbirds.com or use the Illinois State Redbirds App.