SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that it will hold the Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase on Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The defending national champion University of Connecticut will take on UCLA in a game to be televised nationally by ESPN2.
“It is very exciting to announce the first Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are honored to bring two well-respected women’s basketball programs to compete and appreciate the continued support and partnership of Mohegan Sun.”
The Huskies hold a 2-0 in the all-time series between these two squads. UConn defeated the Bruins, 113-102, on November 17, 1998 in Los Angeles and by a 106-64 score on December 23, 1999 in Connecticut. The 102 points scored by UCLA in the first meeting is tied for the highest point total the Huskies have ever surrendered to an opponent.
“It is an honor to be a part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase,” UCLA Head Coach Cori Close said. “To be able to play the reigning national champions in Connecticut will be a huge challenge but also a great opportunity. You couldn’t pick a better arena and the state of Connecticut is very passionate about its basketball, so we are very excited to be in this event.”
“I am thrilled to be competing in an event sponsored by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame for a second-straight season,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. “UCLA is going to be much improved this season and this matchup promises to be an exciting one. Mohegan Sun Arena is a fun place to play and I am happy that our fans in Southeastern Connecticut have this opportunity to come watch us play in their backyard.”
Tickets to the 2014 Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase will go on sale on September 15. An exclusive pre-sale opportunity for the University of Connecticut will be available starting August 8th. Tickets will be available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.
For more information:
Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com
… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
… on Twitter: @hoophall
… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA
About Mohegan Sun:
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.