HBU Huskies announce 2011-2012 women's hoops schedule

September 19, 2011 -- 5:45 p.m.

The 3rd annual Husky Classic and a month-long home stand highlight the 2011-12 Houston Baptist University women's basketball schedule, head coach Mary Gleason announced today.

HBU will open the season on November 11, beginning with a two game road trip to Iowa State and Summit League opponent UMKC. Iowa State spent 15 weeks in the Top 25 last year and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Huskies will travel to face Rice on November 16 and last year's C-USA Rookie of the Year, Jessica Kuster, before traveling to UTEP to conclude the season-high four-game road trip November 19.

“We are kicking off this new season, as a full member of NCAA Division I, against one of the top teams in the nation at Iowa State" said head coach Mary Gleason. "We are a young but eager group this season with nine new players. Taking on such established programs as Iowa State, Rice, UTEP, Navy and Lamar will give our program the much needed experience of competing at the highest level.”

The Huskies return home to host the 3rd annual Husky Classic over Thanksgiving weekend. “We get to share our American holiday of Thanksgiving at home in Sharp gym with our new HBU family members from abroad,” continues Gleason. HBU will face Vermont and Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.

Rounding out the non-conference schedule includes the Navy Classic in Annapolis, MD, a cross-town visit to defending C-USA champion University of Houston, hosting New Mexico, and five Southland Conference opponents.

HBU will play six opponents who competed in post-season play in 2010-11: Iowa State, Navy and Houston (NCAA Tournament), Rice and Lamar (WNIT) and Chicago State (WBI).

“Our goal is to move HBU women's basketball program to achieve new heights and work to be in a position to compete for a Great West Conference championship,” said Gleason.

The 2012 Great West Conference Tournament will be held March 8-10 at Chicago State.

Check out the entire schedule posted on the Huskies' website.