Stony Brook, N.Y. - Five home games, including two contests against opponents that advanced to the postseason last year, highlight Stony Brook University's women's basketball 2010-11 non-conference schedule, released by head coach Michele Cherry on Tuesday. The 12-game schedule features games against four teams that won 18 or more games last season."I'm very excited about our non-conference schedule for the upcoming season," said Cherry. "Overall, our schedule will be arduous, yet, one that I feel will help prepare us for an always difficult America East Conference."
The Seawolves kick off the season at the Phoenix Classic in Elon, N.C., facing off against Troy on Friday, Nov. 12 before taking on Atlantic 10 opponent Fordham on Saturday. SBU will then play five consecutive home games over the next two- and-a-half weeks beginning with a contest against Long Island rival Hofstra on Nov. 18. The Pride won 20 games a season ago and advanced to the WNIT.
Following a game against Nicholls State on Nov. 24, the Seawolves will welcome Monmouth to Pritchard Gymnasium (Nov. 30). Stony Brook will then take on Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 2 before closing the homestand against the Iona Gaels on Dec. 5. Iona also advanced to the WNIT a season ago.
SBU returns to the road on Dec. 9, traveling to Virginia for its first ever match-up with George Mason. Following a trip to the nation's capital for a matchup with the Colonials of George Washington (Dec. 11), the Seawolves head to Brooklyn to take on Long Island (Dec.19). The Blackbirds went 22-10 in 2009-10 and advanced to the Northeast Conference championship game.
Stony Brook then returns to Virginia to take on CAA power Old Dominion (Dec. 21) before wrapping up the non-conference slate with a New Year's Eve game against St. Francis (N.Y.). The Seawolves advanced to the America East semifinals last season for the first time since 2006 and return 10 letter-winners including senior Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y), a 2009 All-America East second team selection.
