Aug. 7, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's has announced its 2009-10 women's basketball non-conference schedule, which includes a potential eight games against teams that advanced to postseason play last year. The schedule is highlighted by the Hawks' home opener at the newly renovated Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena Saturday, November 21 versus UMBC.

In all, the Hawks have the potential to face five NCAA Tournament teams (Vanderbilt, Florida, Villanova, Drexel and Maryland) and three WNIT teams (St. John's, Hartford and Boston University) prior to the Atlantic 10 slate. The conference schedule will be released later in the fall.

Saint Joseph's opens the season with a pair of road games, starting with the season opener at New Hampshire on Friday, November 13. The Hawks will travel to Providence two days later (November 15), before returning to Philadelphia for their first game at the Hagan Arena versus the Terriers on November 21.

The Hawks fill face their first major test of the season when they Vanderbilt on Tuesday, November 24. SJU will then travel to Miami for the Florida International Thanksgiving Tournament. The Hawks will join the field of Florida, St. John's and the host Golden Panthers for the tournament on November 27 and 29.

December brings America East power Hartford to Hawk Hill for a game on Friday, December 4. Following a home contest versus George Mason (Dec. 6), Saint Joseph's opens Big 5 play with a trip up the Main Line to Villanova. The Hawks and Wildcats, coming off a 66-57 triple-overtime victory by SJU last season, will meet at The Pavilion on Wednesday, November 9.

Saint Joseph's hosts Colonial Atlantic Athletic champions Drexel (Dec. 13) and CAA power Old Dominion (Dec. 22) before taking a short break for the Christmas holiday.

For the 20th year, Saint Joseph's will host its annual Hawk Classic on December 28 and 29. Boston University, Brown and South Carolina will join the Hawks in the tournament field.

The New Year will bring arguably the toughest matchup of the season as Saint Joseph's travels to national power Maryland for a game on January 3. The contest marks the first time the teams have met since the 1991-92 season.

Saint Joseph's will wrap up its non-conference schedule at home when the Hawks host Penn in a Big 5 matchup on January 13.

Ticket information for Saint Joseph's games at the Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena can be obtained by calling the SJU Ticket Office at 610-660-1712.