ANAHEIM, Calif. – Cal State East Bay women's basketball will officially start its 2013-14 campaign this weekend at the CCA Division II Tipoff Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Pioneers will open the season facing two preseason nationally ranked top-10 teams within a 36-hour stretch.

"Our three-game schedule will challenge us physically, mentally and emotionally. We know that this can be an amazing opportunity for us to grow and learn as a team," said Head Coach Suzy Barcomb. "We can look at this upcoming weekend as a difficult challenge or an incredible experience. We are going with the latter and we know in the long run it will better prepare our program for our league schedule."

On Friday, Nov. 8, Cal State East Bay will open its three games in three days schedule against No. 9 Concordia-St. Paul. The Golden Bears finished last season 23-7 and earned a trip to the NCAA Division II tournament before being bounced in the opening round. CUSP returns reigning Northern Sun Conference Player of the Year Anika Whiting, and First Team honoree Rachel Hansen to this year's squad.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Pioneers will take on No. 5 Emporia State. The Hornets finished last season 23-9 and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II tournament after winning the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament title.

ESU was given an eight seed but managed to knock off a No. 1 and No. 4 seed to advance to the Sweet 16. The Hornets most recently battled Division I Kansas University and fell by only a 61-53 final score in an exhibition contest.

East Bay will close out the event on Sunday, Nov. 10, against Montana State-Billings. Last season the Yellow Jackets finished 17-11 and boasted a win streak of nine games during the regular season. MSUB played several nationally ranked squads and lost by only single digits to Western Washington (Jan. 19) and Simon Fraser (Feb. 16) a season ago.

"Emporia and Concordia are two absolutely amazing programs with a great winning tradition...Montana State-Billings plays in the very talented (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) and is a very deep, athletic, and well coached team," said Barcomb. "We are the only team in the CCA event to play all three of these highly talented programs. This is another opportunity for us to see how much we have grown over the last three years."

For media coverage of the Tipoff Classic, visit the East Bay women's schedule page.