FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team will face NCAA Division I opponents Samford University and Alabama A&M University in a pair of exhibition games as part of its 2012-2013 schedule.

The Falcons will open the season Oct. 30 with an exhibition game at Alabama A&M, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Montevallo will travel to Southern Conference member Samford University for an exhibition game Nov. 5.

The Falcons’ schedule also features 28 regular-season contests in addition to the exhibition games.

“Our schedule this year will really test us early,” said Montevallo coach Cindy Hilbrich. “We start off with Wingate, who advanced to the Sweet 16 and took Lander into double overtime in the Regional Championship last year. Newberry is next, another strong SAC team.  Then we turn around and face three tough GSC opponents.  I am hoping our strength of schedule will help prepare us for our Peach Belt games.”

Montevallo will open the regular season Nov. 10 on the road at Wingate before facing Newberry on a neutral court one day later.

The Falcons will host former Gulf South Conference foe UAH at Bank Trust Arena in their first home contest of the season Nov. 14.

Montevallo will also host Faulkner, Stillman and Shorter while also traveling to North Alabama, West Georgia and West Alabama in the non-conference portion of its schedule.

The Falcons will open a 19-game Peach Belt Conference schedule at home Dec. 15 against Columbus State. Montevallo will travel to Augusta State two days later in its first conference road game.

The Falcons will host Peach Belt Conference newcomer Young Harris in their regular season finale March 2.