PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – As the new college basketball season inches closer, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women’s Basketball team revealed their 2015-16 schedule, headlined by two former National Champions coming to Princess Anne, Maryland and Old Dominion. The schedule includes 15 regular season home games and an exhibition.
“We’re excited about this season,” said UMES Women’s Basketball head coach Fred Batchelor. “The ladies look forward to playing in front of the home fans. We need their energy and passion as we look to make another deep run into the MEAC Tournament this season.”
On Nov. 5, the Lady Hawks will host Wesley for an exhibition. Similar to a year ago, UMES opens the season against Big East foe Georgetown on Nov. 13. For the third consecutive season, Maryland Eastern Shore takes on the USC-Upstate Spartans (Nov. 15).
On Nov. 19, the Lady Hawks travel to Beantown, Boston, to face Northeastern. Three days later, the squad goes to Cincinnati to take on Xavier. UMES will meet the Huskies and Musketeers for first time, respectively.
On Nov. 25, the Lady Hawks return home where the Cheyney Lady Wolves await. On Dec. 2, Maryland Eastern Shore meets Mount St. Mary’s for the sixth straight season. The Mount leads the all-time series, 9-1; however, the Lady Hawks picked up their first victory in the series a year ago.
Starting Dec. 5, the Lady Hawks begin a four-game road trip against North Carolina Central in their conference opener. Two days later, UMES stays in the Tar Hill state as they take on North Carolina A&T State. On Dec. 9, Maryland Eastern Shore’s road trip continues in Pittsburgh where they will face the Duquesne Dukes for the first time.
On Dec. 13, the Lady Hawks take on Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond for the first time since the 1994-95 season. Two days later, UMES returns home to face in-state rival UMBC for the eighth consecutive season.
On Dec. 20, the Lady Hawks will face their biggest test of the season as the Maryland Terrapins come to town. A year ago, the 2006 National Champions made it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four. Two days later, another former national champion enters the Hytche Center as the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs come calling. Last season, the 1985 National Champions went 21-13 overall.
On Dec. 28, Maryland Eastern Shore closes out 2015 at UNC-Greensboro. On Jan. 11, UMES opens the New Year against in-state foe Morgan State as they resume conference play. Five days later, the Lady Hawks head south to Savannah, Ga. to face Savannah State in a MEAC Championship game re-match. On Jan. 18, Maryland Eastern Shore goes to Orangeburg, S.C. where the South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs await.
On Jan. 23, the Lady Hawks return to the Hytche versus Bethune-Cookman. Two days later, Florida A&M visits Princess Anne for the first time since the 2011-12 season. On Jan. 30, Maryland Eastern Shore makes a stop to Baltimore to take on Coppin State.
Starting Feb. 1, UMES begins a three-game home stand versus the Howard Lady Bison. The home stand continues against MEAC Regular Season Champion Hampton on Feb. 6. Two days later, UMES wraps up the home stand against the Norfolk State Spartans. On Feb. 13, the club travels on route 13 to take on Delaware State. Two days later, the Lady Hawks meet Howard in our Nation’s Capital for a re-match.
On Feb. 20, Maryland Eastern Shore returns home to face South Carolina State for Homecoming. A week later, the Lady Hawks meet Delaware State in their final home contest of the season. On March, 3, the squad wraps up the regular season in Baltimore where the Morgan State Lady Bears await.
Four days later, Maryland Eastern Shore travels to Norfolk to compete in the MEAC Tournament inside the Norfolk Scope Arena. The six-day event concludes Saturday, March 12. The winner receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.