University of the District of Columbia Women’s Basketball Announces 2012-13 Schedule
WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia will open its 2012-13 campaign at the East Coast Conference/Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Challenge hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas on Nov. 9-10, as head coach Lester Butler, Jr. announced a challenging Firebirds schedule for the upcoming season.
The Firebirds, coming off a 21-7 record and NCAA East Regional appearance last season, will square off against Caldwell in their season opener on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The Cougars have 12 players returning from last year's squad which went 17-11 and advanced to the CACC semifinals. Then, District of Columbia faces Goldey-Beacom the next day at 2 p.m. The Lightning return 11 letter-winners from last year's 19-8 squad, including six seniors.
Following the tournament at STAC, the Firebirds visit crosstown rival Washington Adventist on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. They then host their first home games of the season as part of the "Firebird Classic" Tournament, during which they will play Grand Valley St. (MI) on Nov. 17 and NCAA Southern Regional semifinalist, Florida Southern on Nov. 18.
After a 10-day break, District of Columbia faces three straight road games, starting with non-conference foes St. Augustine's (Nov. 28) and crosstown rival Bowie State (Dec. 1). Then the Firebirds visit Bridgeport for their ECC season-opener on Dec. 8.
Four straight home games follow, starting with a non-conference battle against Nova Southeastern of the Sunshine State Conference on Dec. 11. Next, District of Columbia hosts ECC newcomer Roberts Wesleyan on Dec. 15. Then, after a two-week break for the winter holidays, the Firebirds will host the "D.C. Winter Classic" Tournament. They will take on Felician, another CACC school, on Dec. 29 and then the Northeast-10's Assumption on Dec. 30.
The Firebirds go on to play 16 straight ECC games as follows: at NYIT (Jan. 5), vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Jan. 9), at LIU Post (Jan. 12), at Dowling (Jan. 16), vs. Molloy (Jan. 19), vs. Queens (Jan. 23), at Roberts Wesleyan (Jan. 26), vs. Bridgeport (Jan. 30), at Mercy (Feb. 2), vs. NYIT (Feb. 6), at St. Thomas Aquinas (Feb. 9), vs. LIU Post (Feb. 13), vs. Dowling (Hall of Fame Game, Feb. 16), at Queens (Feb. 20), at Molloy (Feb. 23) and vs. Mercy (Mar. 2).