FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball team will travel to the state of Alaska as part of the team's preseason schedule for the 2014-15 season.  The Lady Cardinals will compete in the North Star Invitational, which will feature Alaska, Augustana College (S.D.) and Colorado Christian along with SVSU.  The event is set to be held over Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27-29) at Alaska's Patty Center.

The tournament schedule calls for three two-game sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Games are scheduled to begin at 2 pm and 4 pm each day.

"We are very excited to travel to Fairbanks and get to play three quality opponents early in the 2014-2015 season," said SVSU Head Coach Jamie Pewinski.  "Competing against teams from different regions allows us to see where our program stacks up nationally and gives us a gauge as to how the program is progressing, so it's always a fun thing to do.  Playing three games in three days will challenge us early, but will help get us ready for the tough GLIAC schedule that will follow.  We have made a commitment to our players to give them great off-court experiences to enhance their collegiate careers when the opportunity presents itself and traveling to Fairbanks allows us to do just that!" 

SVSU posted a 14-12 overall record in the 2013-14 season and a 12-10 mark in GLIAC play.  The Lady Cards made the conference quarterfinals for the second-consecutive year, the first time since the 1997-98 and 98-99 seasons.  The 14 victories were the most for the program in 10 years and the 12 league wins were the most since the 98-99 season.  The team set school records for three-point percentage (39.1%) and free throw percentage (77.1%).  Senior Kristen Greene broke the single-season mark for free throw percentage (89.2%) and surpassed the 1,000-point plateau for her career.  Head Coach Jamie Pewinski became the first SVSU head women's basketball coach to be selected as the GLIAC "Coach of the Year" as well following the team's campaign.  Greene and fellow senior Kayla Womack were named to the All-GLIAC Second Team

Below is a preview on the three teams SVSU will face in the Invite:

In 2013-14 Alaska had its most wins (nine) since the 2007-08 season. The Nanooks' offense was also the best it has been in 13 years, averaging 71.2 points per game – its highest scoring average since joining the GNAC in 2001-02. Freshman forward Jordan Wilson (Henderson, Colo./Business Administration) was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, the Nanooks' first major conference award winner since joining the GNAC in 2001-02.
 
Augustana went 16-12 overall last season and 11-11 in the NSIC, making it as far as the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals before being eliminated by Northern State. The Vikings had two players make the NSIC All-Conference teams, with Shaunteva Ashley being named to the Daktronics All-Central Region Second Team.
 
Colorado Christian went 15-13 overall and 13-9 in the RMAC last season while making the RMAC quarterfinals. The Cougars also played in the National Christian College Athletic Association Central Region Tournament, falling to Mid-America Christian (Okla.). CCU had three players make RMAC All-Conference teams, including junior guard Christina Whitelaw, who made the All-RMAC First Team for the third time in her career and was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

SVSU opens its 2014-15 season at Northwood University in the annual GLIAC/GLVC Challenge.  The Lady Cardinals' first two games will be against regional foes Lewis (Nov. 14) and St. Joseph's (Nov. 15) in Midland, Mich.

Below is a full schedule for the slate of games:

2014 North Star Invitational schedule

Click here for full release