FARGO, N.D. ? North Dakota State University women's basketball coach Carolyn DeHoff announced the team's 2008-09 schedule today.  The 28-game slate features games against three 2008 NCAA Tournament participants and three WNIT teams. 

“The excitement around this year's schedule is about our program's eligibility for postseason play,” said DeHoff.  “Our non-conference opponents will provide our players with an opportunity to compete at varying levels and in different environments.  Those two factors will do a great job in preparing our players for what will lie ahead in conference play.  The Summit League will be competitive again this year and we look forward to the challenge.”

NDSU will play two exhibition games against Mary and Minnesota-Crookston before tipping off the regular season with a home game against Northern Iowa on Nov. 14.  The team next heads to Minnesota, a 2008 NCAA Tournament participant, on Nov. 19. 

The Bison make a stop back in Fargo to take on Valley City State on Nov. 21 before heading out to Los Angeles, Calif. to play in the Loyola Marymount Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Tournament.  The team will open with Georgetown on Nov. 28 and then take on either Loyola Marymount or Idaho State on Nov. 29. 

North Dakota State opens Summit League play Dec. 6 and 8 against Centenary and Oral Roberts at the Bison Sports Arena.   Oral Roberts won the Summit League Tournament last season to advance to the NCAA Tournament. 

A four-game stretch of non-conference action begins with a game at NCAA Tournament team University of Wyoming in Casper on Dec. 13 and at Denver on Dec. 15.  A game with Jamestown College takes place on Dec. 20 in Fargo.

After nine days off for winter break, the Bison return to action in the BSA on Dec. 29 against Creighton University, a 2008 WNIT team.  Summit League action continues through March 2, with a game against Utah Valley breaking up the action on Feb. 23.    South Dakota State, a 2008 WNIT participant, hosts the Bison on Jan. 24 and travels to Fargo on Feb. 20.

The Summit League tournament will take place in Sioux Falls, S.D. on March 7-10.