OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball program has released its 2015-16 season schedule, head coach Brittany Lange announced Tuesday. The Mavericks will be eligible for Summit League and NCAA Division I postseason competition this season following a four-year reclassification to Division I.
The Mavericks will play 28 regular-season games, including 15 at the new Baxter Arena. The slate includes five opponents that participated in 2015 postseason action and a trip to the Texas-San Antonio tournament in November.
“We are thrilled to be stepping into a new era of women's basketball with the unveiling of Baxter Arena against a competitive schedule,” Lange said. “This year's schedule will challenge our young group and prepare us for Summit League play.”
Following two exhibition home games, UNO welcomes Central Florida for its first Division I game at Baxter Arena on Nov. 14. The Mavericks then hit the road for a stop at North Dakota (Nov. 17).
Over Thanksgiving break, Omaha will take part in the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic facing Houston Baptist on Nov. 27 and Illinois State on Nov. 29.
After returning from Thanksgiving break, the Mavs host three straight home games, beginning with Kansas City on Dec. 3, Eastern Illinois on Dec. 6, and Midland on Dec. 9.
The Mavericks wrap up non-conference play by hosting Creighton on Sunday, Dec. 20 and Utah Valley on Dec. 22.
“Our league has been elevating quickly over the last few years from top to bottom and will return a lot of key components,” Lange said. “The combination of our new arena and having the opportunity to compete for post season play gives our fans and our program a great deal to look forward to.”
Omaha hosts its first conference home game at Baxter Arena on Dec. 30 against North Dakota State, followed by Western Illinois on Jan. 3.
The remainder of the Maverick home Summit League schedule includes Denver (Jan. 17), Oral Roberts (Jan. 21), South Dakota State (Feb. 4), South Dakota (Feb. 7), Fort Wayne (Feb. 11), and IUPUI (Feb. 18).
The Summit League tournament is set for March 5-8 at Sanford Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Fans can purchase season tickets online via omavs.com/tix, ticketmaster.com, by phone at 402-554-2001 or in person at the Athletic Ticket Office at Sapp Fieldhouse.
