September 7, 2011

2011-12 Schedule (PDF)

FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University women's basketball head coach Bill Reinson has announced his 30-game schedule for 2011-12. The Lancers open the season at Georgetown of the Big East Conference, while also playing Big East members Notre Dame and Cincinnati, along with Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) members Miami and North Carolina State. Longwood finished 7-23 last season and has nine home games on the schedule, including in-state foes George Mason of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and Richmond of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10).

“This may be the most challenging schedule that our women's basketball program has faced since our move to Division I,” said Reinson. “With the quality of our opponents and 21 games away from home, we will need to play disciplined basketball and come ready to compete every night.”

The Lancers will play at Georgetown (24-11) on Friday, November 11, at 7 p.m. in McDonough Arena and will travel to Notre Dame on December 28. The Fighting Irish lost to Texas A&M 76-70 in the National Championship game last season, while the Hoyas advanced to the Regional Semifinals. Longwood will face ACC members Miami (28-5) on Nov. 27 and North Carolina State (14-17) on February 9. The Hurricanes advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, while the Lancers will play the Wolfpack for the first time since the 1976-77 season. Longwood plays at Big East member Cincinnati (9-20) on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.

“Georgetown, Miami and Notre Dame will be particularly tough. All three schools are coming off outstanding seasons, with Notre Dame advancing to the National Championship game.”

Longwood's in-state games include home dates with George Mason (13-17) of the CAA on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Radford (14-16) of the Big South Conference on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m., Norfolk State (9-19) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and Richmond (18-12) of the A-10 on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.. The Lancers will travel to William and Mary (3-26) of the CAA on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The Spiders advanced to the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT), while Longwood defeated the Tribe 82-77 in Willett Hall last season.

“We are excited to be playing five universities from the state of Virginia. It is always nice to compete against in-state opponents to see how you measure up. Additionally, with all of the travel we will be doing this year, it will be nice to play a few road games that are closer to home.”

Longwood was 6-7 in Willett Hall last season and is 13-12 at home over the past two seasons. Longwood hosts games against Cornell (6-22) (Nov. 13, 2 p.m.), Coppin State (13-17) (January 2, 7 p.m.), NJIT (7-21) (Jan. 14, 2 p.m.), Dartmouth (7-21) (Jan. 21, 2 p.m.) and Gardner-Webb (23-11) (Feb. 20, 7 p.m.). Gardner-Webb won the Big South Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season before losing to Miami in the First Round.

The Lancers will play in the Wright State Tournament on Dec.18-20 in Dayton, Ohio. Longwood will face host Wright State (20-13) (Dec. 18), Central Michigan (20-11) (Dec. 19) and Southeast Missouri State (8-21) (Dec. 20). The Lancers also embark on a three-game, nine-day cross-country road trip, traveling to San Diego State (12-17) (Jan. 4, 10 p.m. ET), Air Force (9-22) (Jan. 7, 4 p.m. ET) and Utah Valley (8-21) (Jan. 10, 9 p.m. ET). Central Michigan participated in the WNIT last season, while Wright State competed in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI). Longwood defeated Wright State 74-70 in Coach Reinson's first game as interim head coach last season. The Lancers are 1-2 in three previous meetings with Utah Valley, with the home team winning each contest.

“When I scheduled our road trips, I tried to include interesting destinations. I believe that traveling to different parts of the country not only provides exciting challenges for the team, but also enhances the student-athlete experience.”

Other road games include High Point (16-15) (Nov. 20, 2 p.m.), Campbell (13-17) (Nov. 22, 7 p.m.), Marshall (9-21) (Dec. 15, 7 p.m.), Appalachian State (25-7) (Dec. 31, 12 p.m.), IPFW (20-11) (Jan. 16, 7 p.m.), Murray State (9-21) (Jan. 23, 7 p.m.), Eastern Kentucky (6-21) (Jan. 25, 7 p.m.), Savannah State (15-11) (Feb. 6, 7 p.m.) and NJIT (Feb. 26, 7 p.m.). Appalachian State advanced to the WNIT while IPFW participated in the WBI last season. The Lancers defeated Campbell at home 71-48 last season and dropped a 68-65 decision to High Point at home.

Longwood returns four starters among seven letterwinners from last year's squad, including seniors Brittanni Billups|Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) and Mina Jovanovic|Smederevska Palanka, Serbia (Salt Lake CC) and junior Chelsea Coward|Mechanicsville (Hanover). Billups led the Lancers with 9.4 points and 6.7 rebounds last season. Coward averaged 8.6 points and 3.6 rebounds a year ago, while Jovanovic added 6.1 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Longwood welcomes four newcomers in junior transfer Mieke Elkington|Hamilton, New Zealand (Cochise College) and freshmen Rianna Frazer|Baltimore, Md. (Seton Keough), Jessica Parker|Clayton, N.C. (Clayton) and Jocelyn Lawrence|Clarksville (Bluestone).