2018-19 SCHEDULE
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Head women's basketball coach
Deirdre Moore released the 2018-19 LIU Post schedule Tuesday, a slate that features 14 home games inside the Pratt Recreation Center.
The Pioneers will face tough East Coast Conference competition while also adding a challenging non-conference schedule that includes Stonehill College, Caldwell University, and Bentley University, all of which joined LIU Post in the NCAA Division II Tournament last season.
"With 13 returning players, my team gained experience and is anxious to go out there and compete at a high level," Moore said regarding the tough schedule. "The east region has a lot of quality basketball programs and we always try and play the best teams in the region. In order to compete to be the best, you have to play the best teams. I hope that is something my student athletes translate into the real world."
2018-19 begins with an exhibition matchup at Coppin State University in what will be a homecoming contest for freshmen
Ja'Lyn Armstrong and
Maddie DuBose. The regular season begins on Friday, Nov. 9 when the Pioneers participate in the Northeast-10 Conference/East Coast Conference crossover event at Adelphi University. LIU Post faces Pace University on Friday before taking on the host Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 11.
The first chance to catch the Pioneers inside the Pratt Recreation Center comes on Thursday, Nov. 15 when Caldwell University comes to Brookville. The matchup against the Cougars marks the start of a six-game home stand for the Pioneers, capped off with the ECC-opener against Molloy College on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
"Our opening tournament against Pace and Adelphi always sets the tone for our season. It is a good tournament and this year we have a day in between games as opposed to playing back-to-back. Last season we spent all of November on the road, so it will be nice to play at home. The student-athletes enjoy playing in front of their peers," Moore commented.
After a road test at Queens College on Saturday, Dec. 8, the Pioneers return home for two ECC-games against Daemen College on Friday, Dec. 14 and Roberts Wesleyan College on Sunday, Dec. 16 in the team's final games before final exams and the holiday break.
Following the holiday season, the Pioneers return to action with four road games at Felician University, the College of Saint Rose, Bentley University and the University of the District of Columbia. The matchup with the Firebirds marks the start of a 14-game streak of ECC contests to close out the regular season.
"The ECC is very, very competitive and having to play Molloy, Queens, Roberts [Wesleyan] and Daemen will be a good measuring stick for us. St. Rose and Bentley are tough NE10 schools that also should help us prepare for conference play. Basketball is a long season and you want to be playing your best at the end of the season," Moore remarked.
The Pioneers will host two benefit games in January and February, hosting the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game against the University of Bridgeport on Wednesday, Jan. 23 and will also play its annual Think Pink game to benefit breast cancer research against UDC on Thursday, Feb. 7.
After making the short trip to Saint Thomas Aquinas College on Saturday, Feb. 9, the Pioneers make the long haul to Daemen College and Roberts Wesleyan College the weekend of Feb. 15. LIU Post will honor its senior class prior to tio-off against Mercy College on Saturday, Feb. 23 before wrapping up the regular season against the New York Institute of Technology in round two of the Battle of the Boulevard rivalry on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
The Green and Gold will look to improve upon last year's appearance in the ECC Tournament when the quarterfinal round begins on Wednesday, March 6 at the higher seeded campus. The semifinal and championship rounds will be held inside Fitzgerald Gym at Queens College Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. The NCAA Division II selection show is slated to take place late Sunday evening, with the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament to begin on Friday, March 15.