LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Rider University Women's Basketball Head Coach
Lynn Milligan has announced her team's non-conference schedule for the 2019-20 campaign. The Broncs will take on teams from the BIG EAST, BIG TEN, ASUN, A-10, Ivy League, NEC and the MEAC leading into conference play. Rider will play of trio of home games, while facing one team that made the NCAA Tournament and one that appeared in the WNIT.
"The MAAC is an extremely competitive conference that is filled with very talented players and coaches," Milligan said. "Preparation for January and February is a very important piece of our development. So, once again, I believe we have challenged ourselves with our non-conference schedule to achieve this goal. We strive to find the right balance to prepare us for the rigors of the MAAC."
Rider opens the season against neighboring Princeton (Nov. 6) for the second straight year before hitting the road for a showdown at Penn State (Nov. 10). The Broncs first home game of the season will be against Xavier (Nov. 16) and the team will then head to Florida to compete in two-day MAAC/ASUN Challenge. Rider also has home contests versus La Salle (Dec. 7) and Wagner (Dec. 18) on the early-season docket.
"We are thrilled to be representing Rider and the MAAC in the first-ever MAAC/ASUN Challenge," Milligan noted. "The MAAC is always one step ahead in being able to showcase the talent of our conference on both the men's and women's side and this tournament is just another example. The MAAC is a very underrated conference so for us to have an opportunity to play on this stage is one we are thankful for. It will be a first-class event and we will work hard to prepare for a great weekend of basketball."
Princeton University
Wednesday, November 6 * Princeton, NJ (Jadwin Gymnasium)
Series History: Princeton leads 25-9
Last Meeting: Princeton 89 | Rider 65 (November 6, 2018)
2018 Record: 22-10 (12-2 Ivy League) Ivy League Champions
Of Note: Princeton has won back-to-back Ivy League titles. The team is in its first season under new Head Coach Carla Berube. The Tigers return Ivy League Player of the Year Bella Alarie.
Penn State University
Sunday, November 10 * University Park, PA (Bryce Jordan Center)
Series History: Penn State leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Penn State 85 | Rider 51 (December 14, 2014
2018 Record: 12-18 (5-13 BIG TEN)
Of Note: The two teams are playing for the third time in the series history. The first-ever meeting between the two came in November of 2010. Penn State is in its first season under new Head Coach Carolyn Kieger.
Xavier University
Saturday, November 16 * Lawrenceville, NJ (Alumni Gym)
Series History: First-ever meeting between the two teams.
2018 Record: 11-19 (2-16 Big East)
Of Note: Rider and Xavier will be meeting for the first time in 2019-20. Xavier lost their final nine games of last season.
MAAC/ASUN Challenge
Lipscomb University
Friday, November 22 * Lake Buena Vista, FL (HP Fieldhouse)
Series History: First-ever meeting between the two teams.
2018 Record: 4-25 (2-14 ASUN)
Of Note: Lipscomb will be in its first season under Head Coach Lauren Sumski. The Lady Bisons ended their 2018-19 season on a high-note with an overtime victory at home against Kennesaw State.
MAAC/ASUN Challenge
University of North Florida
Saturday, November 23 * Lake Buena Vista, FL (HP Fieldhouse)
Series History: First-ever meeting between the two teams.
2018 Record: 15-14 (10-8 ASUN)
Of Note: Last year's North Florida squad advanced to the semifinals of the ASUN Tournament. The Ospreys return Second Team All-ASUN performer Jazz Bond in the post this season.
La Salle University
Saturday, December 7 * Lawrenceville, NJ (Alumni Gym)
Series History: La Salle leads 9-2
Last Meeting: Rider 76 | La Salle 55 (December 6, 2017)
2018 Record: 6-25 (3-13 A-10)
Of Note: La Salle is in its second season under Head Coach Mountain MacGillivray. The two teams are playing for the second time in the last three years.
Georgetown University
Saturday, December 14 * Washington, DC (McDonough Arena)
Series History: Georgetown leads 6-0
Last Meeting: Georgetown 79 | Rider 49 (December 21, 2018)
2018 Record: 19-16 (9-9 BIG EAST) Played in the 2019 WNIT
Of Note: Rider and Georgetown are in the second year of a home-and-home series. Last year's meeting was the first between the two in nearly seven years.
Wagner College
Wednesday, December 18 * Lawrenceville, NJ (Alumni Gym)
Series History: Rider leads 13-8
Last Meeting: Rider 71 | Wagner 59 (December 29, 2006)
2018 Record: 10-20 (8-10 NEC)
Of Note: Rider and Wagner will be playing for the first time since December of 2006.
Delaware State University
Monday, December 30 * Dover, DE (Memorial Hall)
Series History: Rider leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Rider 56 | Delaware State 53 (November 29, 2003)
2018 Record: 7-21 (5-11 MEAC)
Of Note: Rider and Delaware State are playing for the first time in 16 years. The Broncs have won all three meetings in the series history dating back the first-ever tilt between the two during the 1982-83 season.