In the final week of 2008, Big West women's basketball has a majority of teams returning to their home courts to conclude the calendar year in front of their fans.
Pacific, who opened a four-game homestand with a pair of wins over Seattle and Sacramento State, continues its stretch at the Alex G. Spanos Center with a contest against Iona on Sunday, Dec. 28. Exactly five years to the day, the Tigers defeated the Gaels in their lone meeting, by a score of 74-63. The two teams square off at 4:00 p.m.
Playing seven of its first eight contests on the road, UC Irvine closes out a four-game homestand with a matchup versus Ivy League's Yale Sunday afternoon. Looking for their first home victory of the season, the Anteaters tip off at 4:00 p.m. at the Bren Center. Two days later UC Irvine travels north to face the Roadrunners of Cal State Bakersfield at noon.
UC Santa Barbara plays its first of three consecutive home contests at The Thunderdome Sunday at 2:00 p.m. when it entertains Santa Clara. The Gauchos own a 4-2 record in the short-lived series with the Broncos.
The Aggies of UC Davis close out the year playing No. 11 Stanford and Seattle. UC Davis travels to Northern California for their third game of the season against a top 25 opponent. The Aggies-Cardinal showdown is slated for Sunday, Dec. 28 at 2:00 p.m. UC Davis follows that up with a home contest against Seattle University. The Aggies entertain the Redhawks at The Pavilion Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. in the front end of a doubleheader with the men’s team.
UC Riverside also has a pair on contests to wrap up 2008 as they visit UNLV and host Yale. Sunday afternoon the Highlanders visits the City of Lights to take on the UNLV Rebels. Two days later they return to the Student Recreation Center to welcome the Yale Bulldogs for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
After snapping a three-game skid with a home victory over New Mexico State, Long Beach State looks to make it two in-a-row Monday evening when it travels to Fresno State. The 49ers and Bulldogs tangle at the Save Mart Center at 7:00 p.m. Despite dropping the last three contests against the Bulldogs, the 49ers lead the all-time series with a 21-9 record.
Cal State Northridge battles Columbia at The Matadome Sunday, Dec. 28 at 2:00 p.m. The Matadors dropped their only other meeting with the Lions back in 1995.
Also facing the Columbia Lions in the final week of 2008 are the Cal State Fullerton Titans. They welcome Columbia to Titan Gym Tuesday, Dec. 30 for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff. The two teams have only met once on the basketball, with the Lions winning, 67-58.
Cal Poly, who played its final contest in 2008 on Dec. 20, is idle until the new year. The Mustangs kick off 2009 hosting UC Riverside in its first conference matchup of the 2008-09 season.