ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's basketball team is set to open the 2023-24 season on Friday night at home against Champion Christian.

Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena. The Ouachita Sports Digital Network will broadcast the game for free on YouTube. Links to live video and live statistics can be accessed at www.OBUtigers.com/coverage.

Ouachita is coming off the program's first winning season in a decade with a final mark of 15-13 and an even 11-11 record in Great American Conference games. The Tigers ended last year in the semifinals of the GAC Championship Tournament.

This season, Ouachita is picked sixth in the GAC preseason coaches' poll. A total of 10 letter-winners return from last year's squad, including five players that started at least 15 of the 28 total games.

Champion Christian, based in Hot Springs, is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. The Tigers have already played five games this season, most recently losing an exhibition to Grambling State 93-48.

Ouachita and Champion have met in each of the past two seasons, both resulting in nearly identical scores in favor of the purple Tigers. Ouachita won 97-54 last year and 92-54 in the 2021-22 season.

Following Friday's game, Ouachita will be at home for its next two games – November 15 against Mississippi College and November 21 against Pittsburg State.