Bowling Green women’s basketball finalizes schedule

This time of year it’s easy to get caught up in the 500-pound gorilla that is preseason football coverage. Between award watchlists, conference predictions, and all the things that go along with the football enterprise in America, it’s easy for the football death start to block out the sun. Not so today, though, as we spend a little time on roundball, specifically women’s MAC SHOOTYHOOPS as the Bowling Green Falcons have finalized their non-conference schedule for the 2017-2018 season.

Per BG’s release:

Five games inside the friendly confines of the Stroh Center highlight the Bowling Green State University women's basketball team's non-conference schedule for the 2017-18 season. Head coach Jennifer Roos recently announced the Falcons' non-league slate, which also includes trips to five different states.

The schedule includes a pair of road games against teams that won at least 22 games and advanced to national postseason play, as well as intra-state matchups with two opponents from the Queen City.

"Our non-conference schedule is a great blend of teams who are natural rivals within our region and also competed in postseason competition last season," said Roos. "It will prepare us well for the Mid-American Conference schedule which begins after winter break."

The Falcons' 2017-18 season begins with a game vs. Eastern Kentucky at the Stroh Center on Friday, Nov. 10. Three days later, the Brown and Orange will hit the road for the first time, heading to the Motor City for a game vs. Detroit on Monday, Nov. 13.

The Titans won 18 games and advanced to the championship game of the Horizon League Tournament last season. The Titans' schedule includes six Mid-American Conference opponents, with the BGSU game scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. start.

BGSU then heads to Western Pennsylvania to face Robert Morris (Nov. 16). The Colonials went 22-11 a year ago, capturing the Northeast Conference title for the third time in four seasons and advancing to the NCAA Championships.

The Falcons host Canisius on Nov. 19 before jetting to Boca Raton, Fla., for the Thanksgiving holiday. Two members of the BGSU coaching staff, Jacey Brooks and Nick Moore, worked on the Canisius staff under Golden Griffins coach Terry Zeh.

BGSU is then Boca bound to take part in a tournament hosted by Florida Atlantic (Nov. 24-25). Norfolk State and St. Francis Brooklyn will join the Falcons and the host Owls in the two-day tourney.

Then, the Falcons return home for the next two games, ending November with a game against Valparaiso (Nov. 28) before beginning December by hosting Xavier (Dec. 6). The Crusaders are now in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Musketeers represent the Big East Conference.

Three days after the XU game, the Falcons take to the road to face South Dakota State (Dec. 9). The Jackrabbits won 23 games last season and advanced to the WNIT. The Falcons and SDSU were scheduled to meet last season, but BGSU's trip to Brookings, S.D., in December of 2016 was canceled due to weather conditions.

Following a break for fall semester exams, the Falcons will conclude the non-conference slate with two gamesin four days prior to the Christmas holiday. BGSU will meet Ferris State at the Stroh on Dec. 18, before facing Cincinnati on Dec. 21. The UC game will be played at St. Ursula Academy's Gymnasium & Convocation Center, as the Bearcats' home facility, Fifth Third Arena, is under renovation during the 2017-18 season.

"Our fans travel more than any other school in the Mid-American Conference for women's basketball and this year will be a great opportunity for fans to travel to a majority of our games," said Roos. "We are looking forward to seeing our great fan base both at the Stroh Center and on the road."

Falcon fans will get their first chance to see the 2017-18 team in action on Sunday, Nov. 5, when BGSU hosts Seton Hill (Pa.) in an exhibition game. That game will mark the return of former Falcon standout Miriam Justinger, who is a member of the Griffins' coaching staff.

2017-18 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Nov. 5 – SETON HILL (Exhibition)
Nov. 10 – EASTERN KENTUCKY
Nov. 13 – at Detroit
Nov. 16 – at Robert Morris
Nov. 19 – CANISIUS
Nov. 24-25 – at FAU Tournament (FAU, Norfolk State, St. Francis Brooklyn)
Nov. 28 – VALPARAISO
Dec. 6 – XAVIER
Dec. 9 – at South Dakota State
Dec. 18 – FERRIS STATE
Dec. 21 – at Cincinnati

The Mid-American Conference schedule will be announced later this summer. BGSU returns nine players from a year ago, and Roos and her staff have added five talented newcomers to the Falcon fold. If you followed the Belt last winter you know that we took a special shine to women’s SHOOTYHOOPS in the Mid-American Conference. Rocket has become one of the biggest fans on the planet and you can bet that sort of coverage continues.