PEORIA, Ill. -- Chet Tomczyk, general manager of WTVP Channel-47, has announced the local PBS affiliate will be entering its 10th season of carrying Bradley women's basketball games during the 2005-06 when the station televises the December 5 home game against Illinois.

The game against Illinois highlights a five-game package that includes four home games and one road game. The Illini will be making its first trip to Robertson Memorial Field House since December 1989 and it will mark just the third appearance for Illinois since the series started during the 1982-83 season.

"WTVP has continued to be a great supporter of Bradley Women's Basketball," head coach Paula Buscher. "Chet Tomczyk and his staff have done a wonderful job with the broadcasts and they have been instrumental in the promotion of women's basketball in our community. We not only appreciate what WTVP has done for Bradley Women's Basketball but how they have stepped up to help promote women's sports."

WTVP will also carry the Braves Missouri Valley Conference opener against Drake on December 29. Two other home games are included in the WTVP package, the February 4 contest against Evansville and the February 26 game against defending WNIT champion Missouri State.

The lone road game to be televised in the Peoria area is the February 12 tilt at Illinois State. The home game against Illinois State (Jan. 15) will appear on Fox Sports Net as part of the Missouri Valley Conference television package, marking the fourth consecutive year the Braves have appeared on regional cable.

Since the start of the 1996-97 season, WTVP has broadcast a total of 43 Bradley women's basketball games.

Bradley opens practice Saturday, October 15 and fans will get their first chance to the see the Braves October 28 at the annual Red-White scrimmage at Robertson Memorial Field House. Bradley's first exhibition game is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6 against Quincy.