FULLERTON – The defending GSAC regular season and tournament champion Hope International women's basketball team opens up a 29-game schedule on Thursday which includes a pair of games against NCAA Division I opponents.

The Royals once again tangle with a 16-game GSAC slate, beginning November 21 at home against Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).

HIU's opening week of play takes place in Big Sky Country as the Royals battle Montana Western and Montana Tech.

Key Games
• at No. 16 Montana Tech – Oct. 24
• Simpson – Oct. 29
• No. 23 Oregon Tech – Oct. 31
• at Southern Oregon and vs. Southern Oregon – Nov. 13 & Nov. 23
• The Master's – Dec. 5 & Jan. 26
• Arizona Christian – Jan. 9 & Feb. 4

Strength of Schedule
• Four teams in the GSAC finished above .500 last season.

• The Royals play a total of six games against teams from the Frontier Conference and Cascade Collegiate Conference.

• HIU gets an early dose of challenges as five of its first eight games occur against teams that qualified for the NAIA Tournament last season. Montana Tech, Simpson, Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon all reached the postseason. The Royals play a home-and-home series against Southern Oregon.

• Two teams are ranked in the Gared NAIA Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' 25 poll – No. 16 Montana Tech and No. 23 Oregon Tech.

Location Breakdown
• 15 home games
• 14 road games

Notes

• The Royals host the HIU Classic on December 15-16 against Westcliff and Nelson. La Sierra also will play both opponents.

• For the second straight season, HIU will contest two exhibition road games against NCAA Division I opponents Cal State Fullerton (Nov. 4) and Long Beach State (Nov. 30).

• HIU plays seven straight home games from November 21-December 18, the longest homestand of the season.

• Following HIU's December 18 game against Bethesda, the Royals are on break until January 7 for their GSAC road opener against Benedictine Mesa.