NDSU Women's Basketball Finalizes 2014-15 Schedule

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University women's basketball team will face a minimum of five teams that advanced to postseason play last season in its 29-game regular season schedule released Tuesday, July 22, by new head coach Maren Walseth.

"We worked hard to get a good schedule for this season," Walseth said. "I have high expectations for this team, and feel this schedule is one that will challenge us while giving us opportunities to be successful, and prepare us for The Summit League. There are a lot of good teams in the Summit League, and we look forward to competing with them all."
 
NDSU will play 14 games at home with 11 being played at the historic Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse and three at Scheels Arena while the new Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex is being constructed.

"There will be a lot of firsts this season, and playing in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse is a first in quite some time," Walseth said. "I am excited to play in a classic building this year. The fans will be close to the court; the band and cheerleaders will be close to the action. The BBF will provide us with a great home court advantage."

The Bison tip-off the season with three consecutive home games inside the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse beginning with an exhibition contest against Bemidji State Friday, Nov. 7. NDSU will host Kent State a week later on Friday, Nov. 14, before closing out the three-game home stand against Milwaukee Sunday, Nov. 16.

NDSU will take its first road trip of the season Nov. 19 when it travels to Western Michigan.

The Bison head southeast over Thanksgiving Break to take part in the Florida Atlantic Classic Nov. 28-29 in Boca Raton, Fla., before closing out the road trip Dec. 2 in Starkville, Miss., against SEC foe and 2014 WNIT participant Mississippi State.

NDSU returns home to face 2014 NCAA tournament qualifier North Dakota at Scheels Arena Saturday, Dec. 6, before welcoming Mayville State to the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse Monday, Dec. 8.

The Bison start a four-game road trip at Northern Iowa Dec. 11 before traveling to New Mexico State Dec. 14, Cal State Fullerton Dec. 19 and Grand Canyon Dec. 21. NDSU hosts Brandon University at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse Monday, Dec. 29, to close out its non-conference schedule.

NDSU will play back-to-back Summit League doubleheaders with the Bison men's basketball team at Scheels Arena Friday, Jan. 2, and Sunday, Jan. 4, to open the 2015 league slate. The Bison will face Oral Roberts on the second before battling league rival and 2014 WNIT qualifier South Dakota State on the fourth.
 
"Moving out to Scheels Arena for the UND, Oral Roberts and SDSU games makes perfect sense," Walseth said. "Providing a big time environment for those games provides the Fargo community the opportunity to support their Bison in another great facility."

With the return of Oral Roberts to the league, all league teams will now play 16 conference games.

The Summit League Women's Basketball Championship will run March 7-10 in Sioux Falls, S.D., and will be played in the brand new Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.