Drury University

Coach Steve Harold's second season with the Drury Lady Panthers officially tips off on Monday when the nation's seventh-ranked team plays host to Northeastern State in a 7 p.m. game at Weiser Gym.

The Riverhawks of coach Randy Gipson are picked for third in their division of the Lone Star Conference after winning the LSC North last season. NSU has two starters back from that 16-10 finisher and will work six freshmen into the mix in 2008-09. 

The Riverhawks will open their season Saturday afternoon (Nov. 15) against visiting Southwest Baptist. .

Drury returns four starters from last season's squad that finished 28-4, won its first Great Lakes Valley Conference title and made its sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA-II Tournament. The Lady Panthers are led by returning All-Great Lakes Valley Conference Third Team selections Lindsay Ballweg and Melanie Oliver, both junior forwards. Ballweg averaged 12.8 points last season, while Oliver added 12.3 points and a team-leading 8.0 rebounds.

Drury defeated NSU 76-71 in overtime last season in Tahlequah, Okla., where Oliver led the way with 17 points. Jessica White, a returning 5-9 junior guard, led the Riverhawks with 19 points.


Game Notes vs. Northeastern State