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Tricia Binford, Montana State women's basketball unveil 2019-20 schedule

Bobcats face 3 teams from last year's top 25
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BOZEMAN -- The 2019-20 Montana State women’s basketball schedule could arguably be the toughest in the history of the Bobcat program.

MSU will face six teams that posted 20-win seasons last year, along with two that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, three that finished ranked in the final USA Today/WBCA Coaches Top 25 poll and three that won their league championship.

“We’re excited about the year ahead as this is going to be one of our most challenging preseason schedules to date,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who is entering her 15th season with the Blue and Gold.

Following an exhibition game with Northwest Nazarene, Montana State will open the regular season when it hosts UC Davis on Nov. 8. The Aggies went 25-7 overall and won the Big West Conference title with a 15-1 ledger. UCD received an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Montana State’s annual School Day Game will be held Nov. 11 against Carroll College.

MSU’s first road-trip of the 2019-20 campaign begins at South Dakota State on Nov. 21 and ends at the University of Minnesota on Nov. 23. SDSU went 28-7 last season, winning The Summit League with a 15-1 mark. The Jackrabbits went on to the NCAA Sweet 16, where it dropped a 63-53 decision to then No-2 ranked Oregon. SDSU ranked No. 22 in the final USA Today/WBCA Coaches poll.

Minnesota went 21-11 last winter, posting a 9-9 record in Big 10 action, and went on to the WNIT.

The Bobcats open December hosting Gonzaga on Dec. 5. The Zags were 29-5 overall and 16-2 in West Coast Conference play. GU finished ranked No. 18.

“I think our fans will be extremely excited with our home contests,” Binford said. “And, we are going to need them to continue making ‘The Brick’ one of the best home court atmospheres, nationally.”

The highlight of the non-conference season is the Puerto Rico Coqui Classic, Dec. 20-21. MSU faces Wichita State in the opening round, before playing Texas A&M in its second contest. Texas A&M went 26-8 overall and 12-4 in SEC action. The Aggies advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and ranked 12th in the final poll.

“We’re looking forward to traveling to Puerto Rico with President (Waded) Cruzado,” Binford stated. “These trips are important for our student-athletes. It allows them an opportunity to experience and discover customs and cultures they normally aren’t exposed too.”

MSU opens its Big Sky Conference schedule at Sacramento State on Dec. 28. The Bobcats open league play at home when it hosts Northern Colorado on Jan. 2. The annual Brawl of the Wild games against intra-state rival Montana are Feb. 1 in Missoula and Feb. 22 in Bozeman.

Season ticket renewals are currently available at msubobcats.com/tickets. New season tickets go on sale Sept. 3.

2019-2020 Montana State Women’s Basketball Schedule:

November
4 Northwest Nazarene (ex.) Bozeman
8 UC Davis Bozeman
11 Carroll Bozeman
17 MSU- Northern Bozeman
21 @ South Dakota State Brookings
23 @ University of Minnesota Minneapolis
30 @ Seattle University Seattle

December
5 Gonzaga Bozeman

18-22 Puerto Rico Coqui Classic Guaynabo, P.R.
20 vs. Wichita State
21 vs. Texas A&M

28 @ Sacramento State* Sacramento, CA
30 @ Northern Arizona * Flagstaff, AZ

January
2 Northern Colorado* Bozeman
4 Southern Utah* Bozeman
9 Idaho* Bozeman
11 @ Portland State* Portland
18 @ Eastern Washington* Cheney, WA
23 Weber State* Bozeman
25 Idaho State* Bozeman

February
1 @ Montana* Missoula, MT
6 @Idaho * Moscow, ID
8 Eastern Washington* Bozeman
13 @ Idaho State* Pocatello, ID
15 @ Weber State* Ogden, UT
20 Portland State* Bozeman
22 Montana* Bozeman
27 Sacramento State* Bozeman
29 Northern Arizona* Bozeman

March
5 @ Southern Utah* Cedar City, UT
7 @ Northern Colorado* Greeley, CO
9-14 @ Big Sky Conference Tournament Boise, ID

*= Big Sky Conference Game