JONESBORO, Ark. (10/6/16) – The 2016 Puerto Rico Classic women's basketball tournament will move its site to the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., after concerns over a recent outbreak of the Zika virus caused tournament officials to move the tournament.

Arkansas State is one of eight teams competing in the early-season tournament, which will take place Dec. 19-21. The tournament field will remain as originally announced with the Red Wolves set to be joined by Kennesaw State, Xavier, Oklahoma, California, Southern Miss, Portland State and Northern Kentucky.

“This is not an easy decision for us in light of our decades of relationships with our Puerto Rican partners,” said Sport Tours President Lee Frederick. “However, we understand it is what the universities want at this time. The strength of our relationships in Daytona Beach and Las Vegas has allowed us to make the changes smoothly. We look forward to returning to San Juan in 2017 and beyond.” 

While the tournament field remains the same, game-times have been adjusted slightly to accommodate the change in locations. A-State will now take on Kennesaw State Monday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. (CT), followed by a matchup against Northern Kentucky Tuesday, Dec. 20at 4:15 p.m. (CT). The Red Wolves will wrap-up play on Wednesday, Dec. 21 against California at 11:15 p.m. (CT).

Arkansas State last competed in Las Vegas in 2005 as part of the Duel in The Desert Tournament where it competed against a pair of then top-25 programs in Notre Dame and North Carolina State.

For more information about tournament packages and event info log onto the Sports Tours International website at SportTours.net.

For the latest on the A-State women's basketball log onto the team's Facebook page at Facebook.com/RedWolvesWBB, or follow them on Twitter @AStateWB and on Instagram at “AStateWBB.”