Women's Basketball set for 'Play4Kay' game, Dallas Mavericks 'team autographed' ball raffle

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas women's basketball team will raffle-off a Dallas Mavericks signed basketball on Saturday, Feb. 9, at their 2 p.m. Play4Kay game versus Austin College to help fund breast-cancer research. 

Play4Kay is an opportunity for a nation of coaches to raise breast-cancer awareness and funds for research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. Since its inception in 2007, the initiative has raised over $2 million to support women's cancer research.

Head coach Jina Johansen's Lady Crusaders are raising money by selling pink t-shirts and raffling-off an autographed basketball signed by the 2012-13 Dallas Mavericks, which includes 2007 MVP and 2011 Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki. 

T-shirts and raffle tickets can be purchased Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Hagger Center on campus. Raffle tickets are available at the game for $1 per ticket or 15 tickets for $10. 

The Dallas Mavericks ball winner will be drawn during the first timeout of the second half. The winning ticket must be present to win. All proceeds go directly to the Play4Kay foundation.

In addition, fans can make donations directly to the University of Dallas Women's Basketball Play4Kay team page. The goal is to raise $500 for breast-cancer research.

"The Play4Kay event is a great opportunity for our team to raise money for breast-cancer research," Johansen said. "Many people have been affected by this terrible disease, and hopefully all the funds raised by Play4Kay will help fight this disease for years to come. We would like to thank everyone who participates and donates to this great cause."  

About Play4Kay:

Play4Kay was founded by Kay Yow, the former North Carolina State University women's basketball coach. Yow passed away from breast cancer in 2009 after battling the disease for 22 years. Part of Yow's legacy is to improve and extend the lives of cancer patients by funding research for women's cancers.