CHENEY, Wash. – Eastern Washington University head women's basketball coach Wendy Schuller has announced the team's 2019-20 schedule today (Sept. 5). The slate features 29 games in all with 13 to be played at home at Reese Court.
 
The Eagles return 10 players from last year, three of which are starters, and welcome four newcomers who all look to get back to the Big Sky Conference Championship game this season.
 
Eight opponents appeared in postseason tournaments last season, four of which come out of the Big Sky as Idaho, Idaho State and Northern Colorado appeared in the WNIT and Portland State earned an NCAA Tournament bid.
 
The Eagles will be road-tested early and often during their non-conference season, as they play six of their nine games away from Reese Court. Additionally, four non-conference opponents advanced to postseason tournaments in 2018-19, as Elite Eight team Stanford and NCAA Tournament teams Boise State and Gonzaga also highlight the 2019-20 schedule.
 
"We are excited about this year's non-conference slate. It is once again going to be challenging, especially given the fact that we are opening at Stanford," said Schuller, who is entering her 19^th year at the helm. "In the end, it is designed to prepare us for the rigors of Big Sky play and I think it will definitely have us ready."
 
After unofficially opening the season at home in Cheney with an exhibition against Northwest University on Oct. 30, the Eagles open the 2019-20 season at Stanford on Nov. 5. The Cardinal advanced all the way to the Elite Eight last season before falling to eventual NCAA Runner-Up, Notre Dame.
 
The non-conference season continues on Friday, Nov. 8 at San Jose State and Monday, Nov. 18 at PAC-12 member Utah. The Eagles look to avenge a loss to the Utes, who wrapped up 2018-19 with a 20-10 overall record, that took place last year at home.
 
The annual match-up against Gonzaga takes place in Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 22 to close the four-game road swing. The Bulldogs finished 29-5 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Eastern's home opener takes place on Sunday, Dec. 1 when the Pepperdine Waves come to town. The Waves finished 22-12 last season and advanced to the WNIT where they fell to Wyoming by one point in the third round.
 
After hosting NAIA member Northwest Christian on Dec. 8, the Eagles clash with Boise State at Reese Court on Dec. 15. The matchup marks the ninth-straight meeting with the Broncos, who finished 28-5 last year and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they fell to No. 4 Oregon State in overtime.
 
Eastern Washington finishes the non-conference season on the road at the UMKC Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 20-21. The Eagles open the tournament against the hosts UMKC before closing play the following day against the Bradley Braves out of the Missouri Valley Conference who finished 20-10 in 2018-19.
 
The road back to the Big Sky Conference Championship game and beyond begins on Dec. 28 at Reese Court when Weber State comes to Cheney for the conference opener. Eastern Washington also plays Idaho State at home on Dec. 30. The Eagles will have a target on their back for both games, as EWU knocked both opponents out of the Big Sky Tournament last year.
 
A three-game road swing awaits the Eagles beginning on Jan. 4 with a Big Sky Conference Championship game rematch at Portland State. On Jan. 9, Eastern Washington looks for its seventh-straight win over Montana in Missoula. After a week off from competition, Eastern finishes the road swing at local rival Idaho on Jan. 16.
 
The Eagles return home for a quick matchup against Montana State on Jan. 18 before heading out to play at Southern Utah (Jan. 25) and Northern Colorado (Jan. 27). The Eagles topped the Bears in thrilling fashion to advance to the BSC Championship game last season.
 
Saturday, Feb. 1, marks the beginning of EWU's longest home stand when Sacramento State comes to town. On Feb. 3, Eastern Washington closes the first half of conference play with a game against Northern Arizona.
 
The home stand comes to a close on Feb. 6 when several local elementary schools visit Reese Court for Eastern Washington's annual "Kid's Day" game against Montana with a special tip-off time of 11:05 a.m.
 
Eastern Washington plays one quick game at Montana State on Feb. 8 before returning home for two more games. The Eagles host Idaho at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 with the Vandal and Eagle men's teams to follow for the third-annual Eastern Washington vs. Idaho doubleheader.
 
After hosting Portland State on Feb. 15, Eastern Washington plays at Sacramento State (Feb. 20) and Northern Arizona (Feb. 22).
 
The final regular season home games take place on Feb. 27 and Feb. 29 with matchups against Southern Utah and Northern Colorado.
 
The final tune-ups prior to the conference championships are at Idaho State on March 4 and Weber State on March 6.
 
The 2019-20 Big Sky Conference Basketball Championships presented by My Place Hotels takes place on March 9-14 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. All 11 teams in the conference earn a bid and the top five teams in the final regular season standings receive a first-round bye. The champion earns the Big Sky's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
To view the entire 2019-20 schedule, including game times, click HERE.