Aug. 4, 2014

Non-Conference Opponent Info

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne women's basketball head coach Dan Burt has released the 13-game non-conference schedule for the 2014-15 season. The Dukes will compete against five teams that played in the post season in 2013-14, the traditional local rivals and will participate in one tournament.

"We are excited to start the new season against quality opponents that will test a team that is young and somewhat inexperienced," said Burt. "I believe we are capable of matching up with any team on the schedule. The strength of the non-conference schedule will greatly prepare us for the rigors of the Atlantic 10 Conference season."

The 2014-15 season will begin with a pair of home games starting Nov. 16 against Princeton. The Tigers are coming off a 21-9 season and a berth in the 2nd Round of the WNIT after finishing tied for the second in the Ivy League. Princeton returns First-Team All-Ivy guard and leading scorer Brooke Dietrick (14.3 ppg) and Honorable Mention All-Ivy Alex Wheatley (10.2 ppg). The last game between the two teams was on Dec. 1, 2007 when current director of basketball operations Jade Singleton scored a career-high 23 points in the Dukes' 71-58 victory.

Three days later, on Nov. 19th Duquesne hosts Syracuse. The Dukes and Orange have not met since the Nov. 26, 1988. SU is coming off a 23-10 season and a 2nd Round berth in the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse returns Brittney Sykes (16.6 ppg) who was named ACC Second-Team All-Conference. This will be the first time Duquesne has hosted an ACC team since Dec. 29, 2006 against Clemson.

Duquesne will play the next four games away from home beginning Nov. 22nd at Green Bay. The Phoenix, coming off a 22-10 season, have won 16 straight Horizon League regular season titles and appeared in the postseason in 17 straight seasons (13 NCAA /4 WNIT). In those 17 seasons, Green Bay has averaged 25.6 wins per season. The Phoenix will return Horizon League Freshman of the Year Tesha Buck (10.4 ppg) and leading scorer Kaili Lukan (11.5 ppg). Last season, Green Bay was a 68-60 winner at the Palumbo Center.

On Nov. 25th, Duquesne will head to our nation's capital to visit Howard. The Dukes are a perfect 3-0 all-time against the Bison. The teams last met at the Palumbo Center on Dec. 12, 2004 - a 97-76 DUQ victory. Howard returns Te'Shya Heslip (13.4 ppg) who was named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team. Howard is looking to bounce back from last season's 11-20 record.

After Thanksgiving, Duquesne will travel to Muncie, Ind. to participate in the Ball State Tournament. The Dukes will face two-of-three teams which could include the host Cardinals, Jackson State or Murray State.

Ball State, who played in the MAC Championship game last year, is coming off an 18-17 season and a berth in the WNIT. BSU returns All-MAC Second-Team and leading scorer Nathalie Fontaine (16.4 ppg). Fontaine also led the Cardinals in rebounds (6.5 rpg). Duquesne won the last matchup against Ball State with an 86-51 win on Jan. 2, 2010.

Jackson State, who improved three games and had its first non-losing season in five years with a record of 15-15 in 2013-14, returns three double-figure scorers including SWAC First-Team All-Conference player Ayanna Hardy-Fuller (11.5 ppg). If the Dukes and Tigers play, this will be Duquesne's first-ever SWAC opponent.

Murray State finished 11-17 last season. The Racers return leading scorer Keiona Kirby (18.3 ppg) and Taylor Porter (10.9 ppg) who was on the OVC All-Rookie Team. The Dukes and Racers have never played each other.

Duquesne returns home on Dec. 3rd for the Fourth Annual Education Day against Kent State. Last season, the Dukes scored a season-high 94 points against the Golden Flashes. Additionally, recently graduated Raegan Moore scored a career-high 35 points and set a new school record by recording nine 3-point baskets in the 31-point victory. KSU, who was 7-23 last year, returns leading scorer Montia Johnson (9.0 ppg), who was a teammate of Dukes' incoming junior Emilie Gronas at Cowley Junior College.

The annual City Game against Pittsburgh will be Dec. 7th at the Palumbo Center. The Panthers are coming off an 11-20 season. Pitt returns leading scorer Brianna Kiesel (16.4 ppg). Duquesne has won four of the five last meetings against Pitt, including five of the last seven at the Palumbo Center.

The local games continue on Dec. 10th when Duquesne travels to West Virginia. Last season, WVU finished with tied with fourth-most victories in the NCAA with 30 and were tied for 1st place in the Big 12 Conference with a 16-2 record. The Mountaineers advanced to the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament. West Virginia returns Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention, All-Big-12 First Team selection and leading scorer Bria Holmes (15.2 ppg).

On Dec. 14th, Duquesne makes the 17-mile trek to Moon Township to face Robert Morris. The Colonials are the defending NEC champions and are coming off a 21-12 season. Although RMU lost two-time NEC Player of the Year Artemis Spanou (19.4 ppg, 14.5 rpg), they will return a pair of sophomores that were on the NEC All-Rookie team in Anna Niki Stamolamprou (12.4 ppg) and Cassie Oursler (7.4 ppg). The Dukes and Colonials meet for the 45th time in a series that also dates back to 1974. Last season, Duquesne was a 79-63 winner over the Colonials.

The Dukes final non-conference home contest is against Saint Francis on Dec. 18th. This game will mark the 31st all-time meeting between the Dukes and Red Flash in a series that dates back to 1974. SFU graduated the top scorer in the NEC Alli Williams (25.4 ppg) from last year's 15-17 season. The Red Flash return Alexa Hayward (17.3 ppg). Last season, Duquesne defeated Saint Francis 86-66.

On Dec. 21st, Duquesne travels to Providence. The Friars, who finished 7-23 last year, return leading scorer Tori Rule (16.1 ppg). Rule scored 26 points in last year's 83-78 loss against the Dukes.

The non-conference slate closes out in Bethlehem, Pa. against Lehigh on Dec. 28th. This will mark the first time the Dukes and Mountain Hawks have met since the 2010-11 season opener - a 70-65 DUQ victory at the Palumbo Center. Lehigh returns leading scorer and rebounder Kerry Kinek (15.3 ppg/7.4 rpg) from last season's 13-18 team.

The Atlantic 10 schedule will be released in early September. Pairings will be announced late Monday afternoon. Additional game times will be added as they become available. Season and group tickets are now on sale. Call 412-232-DUKE or go to www.GoDuquesne.com. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.

SCHEDULE NOTES

• The non-conference opponents combined for 225 wins last season
  
• This season marks the first time Duquesne has hosted two ACC opponents
  
• Jackson State and Murray State are first-time opponents for Duquesne
  
• Duquesne has an 88-84(.512) all-time record against 2014-15 non-conference opponents
  
• The average distance for the road trips is approximately 309.9 miles from Pittsburgh - the longest being Green Bay (670 miles) and the shortest being Robert Morris (17 miles)