2015-16 Schedule | A-10 Composite Schedule

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Atlantic 10 Conference has released its 2015-16 league schedule today. The A-10's 14 members will face each school once and three schools twice as part of the 16-game schedule.

Duquesne's home-and-home opponents include long-time rival St. Bonaventure, Dayton and Rhode Island.

The other five home opponents are Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Massachusetts and Saint Joseph's.

On the road, the Dukes face Davidson, George Mason, Richmond, Saint Louis and VCU.

Conference play will begin at home with a national televised game against Dayton on Jan. 3rd. The Dukes and Flyers played each other twice last season, with UD winning both matchups -- including their game in the semifinals at the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship. Dayton (28-7, 14-2 A-10) had a miracle run to the NCAA Elite Eight before falling to eventual champion Connecticut. The Flyers return Sixth Woman of the Year senior guard Amber Deane (10.5 ppg) and All-Defensive Team member senior guard Kelley Austria (1.6 spg). The game will air on CBS Sports Network.

Duquesne's first road game is Jan. 7th at George Mason. The Patriots (13-17, 5-11) are in their third season in the Atlantic 10. Last season, the Dukes handled Mason 88-54 at the Palumbo Center. George Mason returns the A-10's leading scorer senior guard Taylor Brown (21.4 ppg).

On Jan. 10th, Duquesne hosts Fordham for another national televised game on CBS Sports Network. Duquesne has defeated Fordham (21-12, 11-5) nine straight times in regular season games dating back to Jan. 27, 2008 -- including a 56-46 victory last season in the Bronx. The Rams advanced to the Round 2 of the WNIT last season. Fordham returns three starters, but graduated Third-Team All-Conference player Emily Tapio (12.2 ppg).

The Dukes travel to Rhode Island (17-13, 8-8) on Jan. 13th. After splitting a home-and-home series last year, Duquesne defeated URI 66-53 in the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship to advance to the semifinal round for the first time since 2006. The Rams return A-10 Rookie of the Year and Third-Team All-Conference performer sophomore guard Charise Wilson (16.1 ppg).

Defending conference champion George Washington (29-4, 15-1) comes to Palumbo on Jan. 17th for a nationally televised game on ESPNU. The Colonials defeated the Dukes 83-56 last season in Washington, D.C. GW fell in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament to Gonzaga. GW returns reigning A-10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, senior forward Jonquel Jones (15.3 ppg, 12.5 rpg), First-Team All-Conference player junior forward Caira Washington (12.2 ppg, .509 pct.) and All-Rookie selection sophomore forward Kelli Prange (8.1 ppg).

After a week off, the Dukes host long-time rival St. Bonaventure (15-15, 5-11). The Dukes swept the Bonnies last season, winning 76-63 in Olean and 51-43 at Palumbo. SBU returns Second-Team All-Conference performer Katie Healy (14.1 ppg).

Duquesne heads to Virginia for the next two games. The road trip begins Jan. 28th at Richmond (19-14, 9-7). The Dukes defeated the Spiders in two close knit games last season - 58-51 in overtime in the regular season and 48-47 in the WNIT's 2nd Round. UR returns Second-Team All-Conference junior guard Janelle Hubbard (13.9 ppg).

On Jan. 31st, the Dukes stay in Richmond to face VCU (16-14, 7-9). Duquesne had an 83-47 lopsided victory over the Rams at Palumbo last year. The Rams return Third-Team All-Conference senior guard Adaeze Alaeze (10.9 ppg).

Massachusetts (12-18, 5-11) comes to Palumbo on Feb. 3rd. The Dukes have a nine game winning streak against the Minutewomen dating back to Feb. 20, 2008 -- including last season's 69-49 win in Amherst. UMass returns sophomore guard Cierra Dillard (10.6 ppg).

On Feb. 6th, Duquesne makes their first-ever trip to Davidson (5-25, 1-15). The Dukes defeated the Wildcats 83-47 at Palumbo last season. Davidson, who is in their second season in the A-10, returns All-Rookie selection Mackenzie Latt (11.6 ppg).

Duquesne returns home to face Rhode Island on Feb. 10th. The Dukes have won five of the last six meetings played at Palumbo.

Saint Joseph's (13-17, 8-8) comes to Palumbo on Feb. 13th. The teams split a home-and-home last season, with the Dukes winning in Pittsburgh 63-54 and the Hawks winning in Philadelphia 60-49. SJU returns senior guard Ciara Andrews (13.0 ppg).

Duquesne visits Saint Louis (15-16, 7-9) on Feb. 18th. The Dukes have defeated the Billikens in six of the last seven meetings including last year's 77-64 win at home. SLU returns Third-Team All-Conference junior center Sadie Stipanovich (15.0 ppg).

The Dukes travel to Dayton on Feb. 21st. This will be nationally televised on the American Sports Network.

The final home game is Feb. 24th against La Salle (15-16, 5-11). Duquesne has defeated La Salle eight of the last nine games including a 72-66 win in Philadelphia last year. The Explorers return All-Defensive Team selection junior guard Jasmine Alston (2.3 spg) who led the league in steals.

The regular season concludes in Olean, N.Y. against St. Bonaventure on Feb. 28th.

"We are very pleased to be on national television four times during the Atlantic 10 Conference season," said Duquesne head coach Dan Burt. "For three of those TV games to be at home really showcases what is special about Duquesne. We look forward to a very competitive conference slate and hope to improve on our RPI conference rating of 6th in America from last year."

The 2016 Atlantic 10 Championship will take place at the Richmond Coliseum on March 2-6. The championship will open with the first round on Wednesday March 2nd, followed by four second round games on Thursday, March 3rd. The four quarterfinal games will tip-off Friday, March 4th and will air live nationally on ASN. The semifinal round on Saturday, March 5th will be televised live nationally on CBS Sports Network. The finals, on Sunday March 6th, will air live on ESPNU beginning at 12:00 p.m.