Oct. 31, 2000

Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri women's basketball team opens the 2000-2001 season with an exhibition game against the Basketball Travelers Thurs., Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center.

Missouri rounded out the 1999-2000 season with an 18-12 record and a 7-9 league mark for a seventh-place finish. They also made their Women's National Invitational Tournament debut defeating Evansville 84-81 in an overtime match to record their first post-season victory since 1985. The Tigers return three starters and eight letterwinners to this year's squad.

The Tigers were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 Conference Championship in a preseason poll voted on by conference coaches.

The Tigers received 52 votes to earn their eight-place ranking. Iowa State garnered 113 votes to be predicted to win the conference, while Oklahoma and Texas Tech followed in close pursuit with 109 and 104 votes, respectively.

Also posting honors, 1999-2000 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Amanda Lassiter was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team.

Season tickets for the 2000-2001 women's basketball season are still available by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS.