Game times and opponents finalized for USF Golden Gate Challenge

[September 07, 2013]  SAN FRANCISCO -- This week the Illinois State men's basketball team learned its game times and opponents for the four-team, round-robin University of San Francisco Golden Gate Challenge, played at War Memorial Gym on Nov. 27, 29 and 30. The Redbirds will face host San Francisco, Vermont and recently added Sonoma State.

ISU will tip off the tournament against 2012-13 postseason-qualifier Vermont on Nov. 27 at 10:15 p.m. CT. From the America East Conference, Vermont went 21-12 last year with an 11-5 record and a second-place league finish. The Catamounts advanced to the championship round of the American East tournament, where they narrowly fell to Albany. Vermont was later awarded an automatic bid to the College Basketball Invitational.

The Redbirds will resume tournament play Nov. 29 at 10:15 p.m. CT versus Sonoma State. An NCAA Division II program out of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, the Seawolves were 11-16 overall last season with a 9-13 conference mark.

Illinois State will complete the Golden Gate Challenge on Nov. 30 with a 10:15 p.m. CT showdown against the host Dons. San Francisco amassed a 15-16 overall record in 2012-13 and a 7-9 record, tied for fifth, in the competitive West Coast Conference. USF was 9-7 at home last season.

Fans interested in traveling to support the Redbirds for their first-ever trip to San Francisco are encouraged to contact Suzi Davis Travel at 309-662-0455.

[Text from file received from Illinois State University]