FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona women's basketball will play an exhibition game against New Mexico Highlands on Friday, November 6 at 5:05 p.m. at the Rolle Activity Center in its first competition of the 2009-10 season. The Lumberjacks open the regular season at Pepperdine on Friday, November 13 in Malibu, Calif., at 6 p.m.

The Lumberjacks finished the 2008-09 year at 9-21 and 6-10 in the Big Sky Conference. NAU advanced to the Big Sky Championships for the 14th consecutive year under sixth-year head coach Laurie Kelly.

NAU returns eight letterwinners and two starters this season in junior forwards Jenna Galloway and Lauren Hoisington and welcome in five newcomers including junior guard and Lamar transfer Vickie Toney and two-time Arizona state player of the year freshman guard Amy Patton.

New Mexico Highlands went 3-24 during the 2008-09 season under first-year head coach Tiffany Darling. The Cowgirls, who play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, went 1-18 in league play, but return all five starters and seven letterwinners.