The Montana State women’s basketball squad will open its 2009-10 schedule when it hosts MSU Billings in an exhibition game, Sunday at 2:05 p.m., in Worthington Arena.
Fifth-year head coach Tricia Binford welcomes back five letterwinners, including three starters this season. Leading the Bobcats will be senior first-team All-Big Sky performer Erica Perry. Perry paced MSU in scoring, assists and steals, last winter.
Also returning to the starting line-up are Sarah Strand and Katie Bussey. Bussey, the 2008-09 Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, is listed as doubtful for the exhibition game with a concussion.
Binford also has eight newcomers dressing in the blue and gold for the first time.
MSU finished the 2008-09 campaign 15-15 overall and 8-8 in Big Sky action. The Bobcats were recently picked third in the preseason Big Sky Conference coach’s poll behind Portland State and Montana.
The Bobcats will open regular season play Nov. 13 at Cal State Bakersfield.