NORFOLK, Va. — A busy early road schedule and four in-state non-conference opponents highlight the 2005-06 Norfolk State women's basketball schedule, which was released Tuesday.

NSU plays its first seven games on the road, beginning with the UNC-Asheville Classic Nov. 18 and 19. The Spartans open their season with Campbell on Friday, Nov. 18, then face Jacksonville University on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Spartans then return to Virginia for the first of their four non-conference games against state Division I competition, at William & Mary on Nov. 23. 

The December schedule begins with the MEAC opener, on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Hampton. The Spartans then face two first-time opponents, Robert Morris (Dec. 4) and Winthrop (Dec. 11), both on the road. The seven-game road swing to start the seasons ends with a game at new Colonial Athletic Association member Georgia State on Dec. 15.

NSU's first home game of the season is a tough one. Nine-time defending Big South champion and 2005 NCAA Sweet 16 team Liberty comes to Echols Hall for a 7 p.m. game on Dec. 19.

After breaking for the winter holidays, NSU resumes its slate with a Dec. 29 game at Virginia Commonwealth, the last of the Spartans' three games with CAA teams. NSU's final non-conference game of the year is against Longwood at Echols Hall on Jan. 19. 

After completing its 18-game conference schedule, NSU travels to Raleigh, N.C., for the 2006 MEAC Tournament.

"It's not the strongest schedule in the country, but it will be a challenging one for our young team," said NSU head coach James Sweat, who returns two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's 12-18 team that advanced to the MEAC Tournament championship. "And playing so many games on the road early, you're going to find out what your team is made of. But we like to schedule that way to get us ready for the conference race."

For the complete schedule, click here.

Schedule Notes

• Two first-time opponents: Robert Morris and Winthrop
• Three CAA opponents: William & Mary, Georgia State, Virginia Commonwealth
• Four non-conference, in-state opponents: William & Mary, Liberty, VCU, Longwood
• NSU's 18-game MEAC slate includes just one game each against Florida A&M (Jan. 4 in Tallahassee) and Bethune-Cookman (March 1 in Norfolk)
• For the first time in six years, NSU does not play Hampton for its regular-season finale. The teams meet Thursday, Dec. 1 at Hampton and Thursday, Feb. 16 at NSU. The first meeting (at Hampton) is played separate from the men's NSU-HU game.
• The regular season concludes March 1 against Bethune-Cookman