The UW-Parkside women’s basketball team knows first-hand the importance of the non-conference schedule.

The Rangers opened last season with four straight losses and it likely cost them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Parkside followed its early slump with a school-record, 10 straight victories and finished with 18 wins, but, ultimately, it wasn’t enough to lift the Rangers into the postseason.

“If we could’ve won just one of those early games last year, that could’ve bumped us into the NCAA Tournament,” Parkside coach Jenny Kenesie said. “In the long run, these games can really help or hurt you.”

Parkside (1-0) faces a pair of talented regional opponents in the Wildwood Lodge Tip-Off Classic beginning today at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn.

The Rangers play Winona State at noon today and battle host Concordia-St. Paul 3 p.m. Saturday.

The games will be aired live over the Internet at www.parksiderangers.com.

Winona State, an NCAA Tournament qualifier last season, defeated NCAA Division I schools Minnesota and South Dakota in exhibition games and knocked off St. Mary’s (Minn.), 84-47, in their season opener on Monday.

“I know they feel like they have a lot of momentum going into this weekend,” Kenesie said. “They have a handful of scorers and go three or four deep on the bench. They’re young, just like us, and playing with a lot of confidence.”

Both teams should be well-rested. The Rangers haven’t played since beating Florida Southern, 89-74, in their season opener on Sunday.

Parkside was balanced offensively as forward Brittany Beyer finished with 23 points and guards Amanda Gibson and Jadee Rooney had 21 points apiece. Parkside center Brittany Hogen added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

“We used the momentum from Sunday and focused on getting better every single day in practice,” Kenesie said. “I thought we did that this week.”

Winona State (1-0) and Concordia-St. Paul (0-0) compete in the talented, 14-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Winona State was picked to finish fifth, while Concordia-St. Paul was pegged for second. Defending NCAA Division II champion Minnesota State enters as the NSIC favorite.

“These games are extremely important,” Kenesie said. “I think our kids are up for the challenge.”