The Eastern Oregon University women's and men's basketball teams begin their seasons Tuesday against Walla Walla University in Hermiston.

The Mountaineer women begin their 2009-10 campaign against a Wolves' team that returns three of its top four scorers from last season, and welcomes new talent this year.

WWU's Heather McFadden returns for her junior season after averaging a team-high 11.95 points per game last year. The 5-6 guard shot 38 percent from the field in her sophomore season. She made a team-high 20 three-pointers, shooting just over 30 percent from beyond the perimeter. McFadden led Walla Walla with 68 assists and 69 steals.

The Wolves return two other players that played all 22 games in 2008-09, and one that played in 21. Victoria Novielli averaged 8.7 points per game in 18 games for WWU last season. The sophomore had a team-high 5.8 rebounds per contest in 2008-09. Anna Berg averaged 6.7 points per game last season, and added 4.3 rebounds per game.

Walla Walla University shot 34 percent from the field as a team, 28 percent behind the arc, and 55 percent from the free throw line last year. EOU eased past the Wolves in a pair of meetings in 2008-09. The Mountaineers beat WWU in Hermiston to open the season, 104-51, and 78-56 in La Grande. Eastern averages an 88-37 victory over Walla Walla in the past ten meetings, winning all 10. The closest meeting came in the last meeting, Jan. 13, 2009, when EOU won, 78-56.

The newly affiliated NAIA Independent Institution, Walla Walla will play in six different states this season, traveling as far as Arizona, Southern California, and Montana. They will play NCAA, NCCAA, NWAACC, NAIA, and unaffiliated schools this year.

The Wolves' men's team struggled in 2008-09 winning only four of their 24 games. Last year's team began the season losing its first 13 outings. WWU went 0-12 on the road.

Walla Walla University returns three players from last season and just two players that started a game in 2008-09. The Wolves welcome 11 new players to their current roster. Head coach Gerry Larson found players in the off-season from Washington, Ohio, California, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, and Maryland.

WWU's Jonny Long returns after averaging a team-high 14.5 points per game and added 4.6 rebounds per game. The junior had 28 assists and 27 steals in 22 starts last year. The 6-1 guard averaged 27.7 minutes per game in 2008-09.

The Mountaineers defeated the Wolves in a pair of meeting last season. EOU won at Walla Walla on Nov. 4, 2008, 93-47. Eastern Oregon then eased past WWU on Jan. 13, 2009, 84-55.

EOU held Walla Walla to 31 percent shooting from the field in both games last season. Eastern shot 54 percent against the Wolves in the two meetings. The returning Mountaineer players scored 69 points against Walla Walla in 2008-09.