FARGO, N.D.—Four NCAA tournament teams, six that advanced to the WNIT, and two others that played in the Women’s Basketball Invitational highlight the 30-game regular season North Dakota State University 2012-13 women’s basketball schedule announced today by head coach Carolyn DeHoff. There are 17 home games on this year’s schedule.

“Once again we have a challenging schedule, but one that we feel good about,” said DeHoff, who enters her fifth season at North Dakota State.

“The Bison Sports Arena will see teams whose campuses are located from across the river to across the nation. Bison fans should have great excitement about the upcoming women’s basketball season.”

Creighton, South Dakota State, Green Bay and Prairie View A&M advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2012 with the Phoenix moving into the second round. Drake, Harvard, Kansas City, Northern Colorado, South Dakota and Utah State qualified for the WNIT with the Crimson and USD advancing to the second round. Northern Iowa made an impressive run before losing to Minnesota in the Women’s Basketball Invitational championship game, a tournament field that included North Dakota.

Following home exhibition games against Minnesota-Crookston on Nov. 1 and Minnesota State Moorhead on Nov. 5, NDSU kicks off the season on Friday, Nov. 9 against Harvard University at the Bison Sports Arena and Mayville State University Nov. 11. The busy month continues as the Bison travel to Boise State Nov. 13 before coming back home to host Northern Iowa Nov 17.

NDSU makes its first trip to Alaska before Thanksgiving to play in the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout and opens with host Alaska-Anchorage on Tuesday, Nov. 20. The Bison will play either Prairie View A&M or Utah State on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

“We are very excited to be invited to the Great Alaska Shootout. The tournament has great historical significance in basketball and will be a great team-building experience for us.”

North Dakota State then travels back home to face in-state rival University of North Dakota at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. NDSU’s non-conference home schedule also includes games with Drake on Thursday, Dec. 6, Dickinson State on Friday, Dec. 7 and Milwaukee on Sunday, Dec. 23.

“NDSU and UND games have historically brought an exciting atmosphere.  One thing we are excited about in renewing this rivalry is the support our region and our state provide at these games.  They bring an undoubted energy that is great for both schools and great for the sport.”

North Dakota State begins Summit League play on the road against four-time defending league tournament champion South Dakota State in Brookings on Sunday, Dec. 30. The Bison open league play at home on Thursday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 5 against South Dakota and Kansas City.

The Summit League tournament is scheduled for March 9-12 at the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Arena.

Harvard, Boise State and Prairie View A&M are first-time opponents on the schedule.

The Bison return 12 letterwinners and six seniors from last season’s team including 5-foot-8 guard Katie Birkel (Lincoln, Neb.), a 2010 all-Summit League first team selection and 6-foot-5 center Janae Burich (Roseville, Minn.), who was 2012 all-league second team pick.

North Dakota State finished 11-20 in the 2012 season including an 8-10 record in The Summit League.