Orono, Maine -- University of Maine women's basketball interim head coach Amy Vachon has announced the team's exciting and challenging 2017-18 non-conference schedule.

The non-conference slate is made up of nine possible opponents who advanced to postseason tournament action in 2016-17; seven of which appeared in the NCAA Tournament including National Champion runners-up Mississippi State. Five of the possible match-ups for the Black Bears ended 2016-17 ranked in the Top-25 polls.

"This upcoming season will challenge us with one of the toughest non-conference schedules we have played," Vachon said. "Nine of our opponents participated in postseason play in 2016-17, highlighted by Mississippi State who played in the National Championship. Five of our opponents were ranked in the top-25 in the final 2017 USA Today Coaches Poll. We continue to strive to be great and in order to do that, we believe we have to play the best. We are excited for the opportunities to test our young team early on and believe these games will prepare us well for America East play."

UMaine opens with an exhibition warm-up at home against Stonehill on Oct. 28 before diving into regular season action. The season begins with UMaine's Tip-Off Tournament where the Black Bears will host Dayton, Tulane and Harvard on Nov. 10 and 11 for two exciting days of basketball competition. The Black Bears will open play against Tulane on Nov. 10 before matching up against either Dayton or Harvard on day two. Dayton finished the season as the champions of the Atlantic-10 and advanced to play Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Harvard finished its season with an impressive 21-9 mark after defeating New Hampshire in the first round of the WNIT before losing to St. John's in round two. Tulane also advanced to the WNIT, picking up a pair of wins in the tournament before falling to Alabama in the third round.

Maine hosts Bryant on Nov. 14 where it will look for its third-straight victory over the Bulldogs after a 77-52 triumph a tear ago. The Black Bears remain at home for a Nov. 16 meeting with UMaine Fort Kent.

The team hits the round for the first time in 2017-18 when it travels to Miami to take part in the University of Miami's tournament on Nov. 24 and 26. The impressive field features the Hurricanes, who ended the season ranked No. 14/19 after falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Maryland, who captured the 2016-17 Big Ten title before falling in the Sweet 16 to Oregon, ended last season at 32-3 and ranked No. 6/8 in the nation's top poll. Kennesaw State completes the four-team field.

Maine remains on the road for a Dec. 30 match-up at Toledo where the Rockets are coming off a Mid-American Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. Following their game at Toledo, the Black Bears will travel to Ohio State for their first showdown with the Buckeyes since 1995. Ohio State is coming off an NCAA Tournament run which ended with a loss to Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.

Maine returns home on Dec. 5 for a meeting with Maine Maritime Academy before ending its non-conference stretch with four-straight road games.

The Black Bears will travel to Dartmouth on Dec. 9 before a Dec. 17 showdown with the 2016-17 NCAA National Champion runners-up, Mississippi State.

Maine will close out non-conference action with a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference opponents, beginning with a Dec. 19 meeting at Duke where the Blue Devils are coming off a 2016-17 run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Maine closes out the slate with a Dec. 28 trip to Boston College.

For a look at the full 2017-18 women's basketball non-conference schedule, please click HERE.

Stay tuned to GoBlackBears.com for ticket information.

-UMaine-