FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State women's basketball will have five new starters when it takes the floor for the first time on Friday at 4 p.m. during its season opener against Lock Haven, on day one of the MEC/PSAC Challenge, presented by McDonald's, the JW Ebert Corporation.
 
The action will begin at 2 p.m. Friday when Concord takes on Clarion in a neutral site matchup at Joe Retton Arena.
 
Day two of the MEC/PSAC Challenge, presented by McDonald's, the JW Ebert Corporation, will begin at 1 p.m. with Concord squaring off with Lock Haven. FSU will wrap up the weekend's action with a showdown against Clarion at 5 p.m. Saturday evening.
 
2017 MEC/PSAC Challenge Schedule/Results
Friday, Nov. 10
2 p.m. – Concord vs. Clarion | Live Stats
4 p.m. – Fairmont State vs. Lock Haven | Live Stats | Live Video
 
Saturday, Nov. 11
1 p.m. – Concord vs. Lock Haven | Live Stats
5 p.m. – Fairmont State vs. Clarion | Live Stats | Live Video
 
FSU Women's Basketball Quick Hitters
- Fairmont State head women's basketball coach Steve McDonald is entering his 18^th season at the helm of the Fairmont State women's basketball program with a record of 338-166. The Falcons ended the 2016-17 season with a 19-12 overall record and made a run to the Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship Game.
- Fairmont State will open the season with five new starters this season, after graduating four 1,000 point scorers following the 2016-17 season (Amanda Ruffner, Deidra Combs, Makenzie White and Emily Puskarich).
- Senior Kelli Jo Harrison is the only player returning to Fairmont State's lineup this season that averaged double-figures minutes. Harrison averaged 15.3 minutes, 4.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
- Sophomore forward Rachel Laskody (29 games) and Molly Rinkevich (16 games) also saw action last season for the Falcons.
- In addition to seven seniors on the Fairmont State roster for the 2017-18 season, the Falcons also welcomed two transfers to the program this season, including Brooke Kurucz from Akron and Ozge Yarga from Western Wyoming CC.
- Each of the four teams competing this weekend competed in last year's MEC/PSAC Challenge at Joe Retton Arena, with Fairmont State coming away with a pair of double-digit victories over Clarion (69-54) and Lock Haven (92-53).
- Lock Haven defeated Concord 62-53 and Clarion topped Concord 87-56 to give both PSAC programs a 1-1 mark on the weekend.
- Amanda Ruffner, a three-year starter and two-time All-MEC standout, has joined Steve McDonald's coaching staff after wrapping up her playing career last March. Ruffner finished her career in 17^th place in school history with 1,235 career points while wearing the maroon and white. Ruffner also ranks second in school history with a career field goal percentage of .555 during her four seasons (473-852).