GREENVILLE, S.C. ? Head women’s basketball coach Sam Dixon released the 2008-09 Furman women’s basketball schedule on Wednesday.

“We have an exciting schedule this year,” commented head coach Sam Dixon. “It will offer an outstanding challenge and will help us to grow and get better in preparation for Southern Conference competition.”

Furman will participate in an exhibition game on Nov. 8 against Southern Virginia before officially opening the season against Clemson on Nov. 14 in Greenville, S.C.

Clemson is just one of the highlights of the 2008-09 schedule, which also includes clashes against SEC power Kentucky and Big 12 foe Texas.

“The highlights of our schedule are certainly Texas, Kentucky and Clemson,” said Dixon. “We look forward to those challenges as a way to improve and prepare for the SoCon.”

The Paladins will kick off Southern Conference play with a Dec. 2 contest at Davidson, and will close the regular season against the Wildcats on Feb. 28.  Furman will also face the most recent addition to the SoCon, Samford, on Jan. 14 at home and on Jan. 24 in Birmingham.

Furman will take on non-conference opponents Charleston Southern and Winston-Salem State in late December.

The Paladins return 4 starters and 11 letterwinners from last year’s team that went 10-20 overall and 5-13 in the Southern Conference.