PEORIA, Ill. -- Several hundred excellent tickets for the 2006 Chicago Invitational Challenge have been returned by participating schools and have been released for sale through the Sears Centre ticket outlets. The eight-team, two-day event is closing in on sell-out status. Four games are scheduled on both Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 at the brand new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

Following the afternoon session featuring Illinois-Chicago, Florida A&M, Jackson State and Savannah State, Bradley will play Rutgers at 5 p.m. on Nov. 24, a game that will be followed by Illinois versus Miami-Ohio at 7:30.  The evening session Nov. 25 will feature the Bradley/Rutgers loser against the Illinois/Miami-Ohio loser at 5 p.m. and will be followed by the two winners at 7:30 in the tournament finale.  One ticket is good for all eight games over both days of the tournament at the Sears Centre.

Tickets for the Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. can be purchased through the Sears Centre Box Office, select AMCORE Bank outlets, by phone at 1-888-SEARS TIX, and online at www.SearsCentre.com.  Ticket prices are $100 for floor seats, $90 for club level, $80 for lower bowl and $60 for upper bowl and are good for all eight games over the two days.