Women's Basketball 8/1/2014 8:00:00 AM

SCHEDULE FOR 2014-15 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON RELEASED

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FULL SCHEDULE

RADFORD, Va. – Radford women's basketball head coach Mike McGuire announced the Highlanders' 2014-15 schedule Friday morning. The 29-game regular season features nine nonconference opponents, including three from the ACC.

"Our 2014-15 schedule is a good one," McGuire commented. "Our nonconference schedule allows us to face different styles of play that will prepare us for Big South action. Of our nine nonconference opponents, five of them will be in the Dedmon Center. It will be exciting for this year's team to play more games at home, especially being a young group. It's also nice when we have an opportunity to compete against in-state schools during nonconference play. This year, we have an opportunity to play four of them, including visits to Virginia and Virginia Tech."

After a two-year absence, Virginia returns to the Highlanders' schedule. RU travels to Charlottesville to open its season against the Cavaliers, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. inside John Paul Jones Arena. The all-time series between the two sides is tied at 7.

Radford's home opener is set for Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. against Norfolk State, marking the fourth consecutive season they will meet on the hardwood. Two days later, Youngstown State visits the Dedmon Center. The Penguins, who play in the Horizon League, have never faced RU in women's basketball. The Highlanders close out November with a pair of road games at Pittsburgh (Nov. 26) and at Appalachian State (Nov. 30).

A five-game homestand awaits Radford at the beginning of December: William & Mary (Dec. 2), Liberty (Dec. 6), Coastal Carolina (Dec. 13), Wofford (Dec. 15) and West Virginia State (Dec. 18).

Before leaving for Christmas Break, RU will battle Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Dec. 21. The two New River Valley rivals will play for the second year in a row.

Upon returning from break, the Highlanders jump back into conference competition with an away contest at Gardner-Webb (Dec. 30). The following week, Radford faces Charleston Southern (Jan. 5), Presbyterian College (Jan. 8) and Longwood (Jan. 10) in a span of five days, which is due to the new scheduling format implemented by the Big South this year.

"Our Big South Conference schedule format has changed from last season," McGuire said. "Last season, we played a Thursday-Saturday format other than two weeks during the conference season. This season, we move to a Tuesday-Saturday format other than the weeks where we must play three games. The change to Tuesday-Saturday should be more beneficial in terms of game preparation and recovery for the teams."

The Highlanders entertain defending tournament champion Winthrop on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. before hitting the road for away games at Campbell (Jan. 17) and at UNC Asheville (Jan. 20).

Radford plays four of its next six at home, beginning with a Jan. 24 date with defending regular-season champion High Point. Gardner-Webb (Jan. 27), Presbyterian College (Feb. 7) and Longwood (Feb. 10) also make the trip to RU during this stretch. Away contests at Liberty (Feb. 2) and at Coastal Carolina (Feb. 5) are scheduled during that span of games.

In addition, Radford travels to Charleston Southern (Feb. 14) and Winthrop (Feb. 17). The final two home games of the season are against Campbell (Feb. 21) and UNC Asheville (Feb. 24 – Senior Day). RU wraps up its regular season at High Point on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. inside the Millis Center.

"I expect the Big South to be stronger than it was last year," McGuire believes. "Several schools have key players returning from last season, so it should make for a competitive season in the conference."

For the third straight year, The HTC Center in Conway, S.C. will host the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women's Basketball Tournament, March 3-8. The champion will claim the league's automatic bid into the 2015 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

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