ATLANTA – EKU women's basketball, in conjunction with the ASUN Conference, released the league portion of its 2023-24 schedule on Wednesday afternoon.
"We are extremely excited for the upcoming season, seeing our conference matchups finalized, it gives us an edge as we continue summer workouts," said EKU head coach
Greg Todd. "I personally like the 12 team format and division play works great having true travel partners. The east division will have the perennial favorite in Florida Gulf Coast and the west division will have the next top three teams that return from last season. We look forward to our ASUN schedule as we prepare for a run at the conference championship in March."
EKU's 16 game ASUN schedule begins in early January and runs through early March, featuring eight games at Baptist Health Arena and eight games on the road. Season tickets for the 2023-24 season begin at just $25 for general seating or $250 for courtside, fans can purchase those tickets online
here, over the phone at 859-622-2122, or in-person at the EKU Ticket Office from 9-5 p.m. ET at the Olympic Sports Training Center on campus.
With the departure of Liberty and Jacksonville State to the Conference USA, the ASUN will revert to two divisions going from 14 member institutions to 12. EKU will play each team in the west division twice, with one matchup against east division schools.
Eastern Kentucky University, being in the west division, will be paired with Austin Peay, Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Lipscomb, and North Alabama. Its east division counterparts are Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, North Florida, Queens, and Stetson.
EKU is scheduled to open the ASUN season on the road against Lipscomb in the Music City on January 4th, its first road opener since joining the league. In two seasons in the conference, EKU is 2-0 in openers, defeating Central Arkansas, 61-46, during the 2021-22 season and handling Kennesaw State, 87-72, last year in Richmond.
The Colonels will complete its three-game road swing to begin the 2024 calendar year against Austin Peay (Jan. 6) and Bellarmine (Jan. 13). EKU is 57-42 all-time against its regional rivals.
Fans can enjoy EKU's conference home opener versus Central Arkansas (Jan. 18) and North Alabama (Jan. 20). The Colonels have won three of their last four games against UCA and UNA inside Baptist Health Arena.
EKU will hit the road for three of its next four games against ASUN schools located in the Sunshine State, beginning with Jacksonville (Jan. 25) and North Florida (Jan. 27). EKU won all three of its meetings against the travel partners last season, including two games in Duval County.
The Colonels will conclude January with a home contest against Stetson on the 31st. EKU completed a sweep of the Hatters last season with two 80-point performances.
EKU opens February on the road against reigning ASUN Champions FGCU in Fort Myers for the third-straight season. The Eagles defeated EKU last season 84-61 and concluded their campaign in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
EKU returns home with contests against Queens (Feb. 8) and Kennesaw State (Feb. 10) inside Baptist Health Arena. EKU welcomes the Royals for the first time in program history and its second meeting in program history, defeating Queens 95-62 last season in Charlotte. EKU's 33-point win over QU was the largest margin of victory in over 25 seasons against conference opponents.
The Colonels again hit the road for games against North Alabama (Feb. 14) and Central Arkansas (Feb. 16). EKU is seeking its first road win against UNA and its first win at UCA since the 2021-22 season.
To end the regular season, EKU is scheduled for three home games against Bellarmine (Feb. 24), Austin Peay (Feb. 29), and Lipscomb (March 2).
The 2024 ASUN Championship is scheduled shortly after the conclusion of the conference schedule, beginning on Friday, March 8. EKU has made appearances in the semifinals in both its seasons in the conference.
EKU returns five members off last year's squad who accounted for 1,333 points and 41.6 points per game. The team also welcomes a total of seven newcomers to the squad consisting of five transfers and two highly touted freshmen.
The Colonels return reigning ASUN Newcomer of the Year,
Antwainette Walker, who is coming off a season averaging 21.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. The Lisle, Ill. product was a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and the Dawn Staley Award, recognizing the top guards in NCAA women's basketball.
With 630 points and 282 rebounds in her lone season in Richmond, Walker etched her name inside the top-10 in the EKU single season record book in points, points per game, made field goals, field goals attempted, rebounds, rebounds per game, and steals.
Her 2022-23 averages led the league in over 10 statistical categories and was top-15 in the nation in two categories, Walker also joined the ASUN single season record book in points, scoring average, and made field goals.
As a team, EKU is coming off an 18-win season under Todd, who enters his third season at the helm in 2023-24.
In active returning coaches to the conference, Todd ranks second in overall wins (33) and ASUN wins (18) in two years in Richmond. Todd has improved EKU's win total by nine wins since taking over in 2021.
Game times for this season's ASUN slate will be announced by the league office at a later date.
2023-24 EKU ASUN Schedule
Jan. 4 @ Lipscomb Nashville, Tenn.
Jan. 6 @ Austin Peay Clarksville, Tenn.
Jan. 13 @ Bellarmine Louisville, Ky.
Jan. 18 Central Arkansas Richmond, Ky.
Jan. 20 North Alabama Richmond, Ky.
Jan. 25 @ Jacksonville Jacksonville, Fla.
Jan. 27 @ North Florida Jacksonville, Fla.
Jan. 31 Stetson Richmond, Ky.
Feb. 3 @ FGCU Fort Myers, Fla.
Feb. 8 Queens Richmond, Ky.
Feb. 10 Kennesaw State Richmond, Ky.
Feb. 14 @ North Alabama Florence, Ala.
Feb. 16 @ Central Arkansas Conway, Ark.
Feb. 24 Bellarmine Richmond, Ky.
Feb. 29 Austin Peay Richmond, Ky.
March 2 Lipscomb Richmond, Ky.
Home Games in Bold
