Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team will take on the Lewis (Ill.) Flyers in their 2009-10 home opener on Tuesday (Nov. 24) evening inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena at Big Rapids, Mich. 

Tipoff for the non-league game is set for 6 p.m. (EST) and fans can receive free admission in exchange for a monetary donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door.

Tuesday's game also features a "Bond with Basketball" promotion as three area high school teams will be in attendance as part of a team building experience prior to the prep season.  The teams include Big Rapids, Newaygo and White Cloud and they will take part in various shooting games and contests at halftime.

Fans attending the home opener will also have a chance to watch the Bulldogs play their first official contest at Wink Arena following the facility's most recent renovation this past spring. As part of the project, the gymnasium floor was completely sanded down, refurbished and painted with a new design and color corresponding with the university's graphic standard identity.

The new look in Wink Arena, which has been home to both the Bulldog men's and women's basketball programs since the 1999-00 season, now includes an extra large "Bulldog" head in the center of the floor replacing the former basketball design found in the center circle. Additional wording includes both the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) logo and the "Wink Arena" designation in two seperate places. The floor is outlined in Ferris' official crimson color with gold wording rather than the maroon-colored appearance that previously lined the court.

In addition, the lane found under both hoops now features a light open-colored appearance replacing the maroon background that existed in the past. The women's three-point line maintains its black appearance with the men's line showing up in crimson. The Ferris State University signature line remains on both baselines in gold over crimson.

The Bulldogs, who were picked to finish third in the 2009-10 GLIAC North Division Preseason Poll, started the year with a pair of road losses at nationally-ranked Gannon and Edinboro this past weekend (Nov. 20-21). Meanwhile, the Flyers are also looking for their first victory after an 81-77 home setback to Florida Southern in their first game last Monday (Nov. 16).

Lewis owns a 5-4 all-time series' edge and has beat the Bulldogs four-straight times, including a 77-66 win last campaign (11/25/08) in Romeoville, Ill.  FSU is 2-2 overall against the Flyers in Big Rapids to date.

Live interent statistics along with a live audio/video pay-per-view webcast via B2 Networks will also be available for the game with links provided at www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com.