DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women's basketball team, the two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament champions, announced its 2018-19 non-conference schedule on Friday, Aug. 31. The challenging 12-game non-conference schedule features games against five opponents that made the 2018 NCAA Tournament and a trip to Canada for the inaugural Vancouver Showcase, Nov. 22-24. The eight-team tournament features a loaded field, including the defending national champions, Notre Dame in addition to East Tennessee State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, South Carolina and Western Kentucky.
 
Drake opens the season on Nov. 7 at Nebraska. The Bulldogs and the Huskers played a double-overtime thriller last season at the Knapp Center. Following its trip to Lincoln, Neb., Drake travels to Western Illinois on Nov. 10. The Leathernecks earned a berth to the 2018 WNIT.
 
Drake's home opener is set for Nov. 15 when South Dakota visits the Knapp Center. The Coyotes also qualified for the 2018 WNIT. The Bulldogs then welcome Cal State Northridge on Nov. 18.
 
Following the two-game homestand, Drake heads to Vancouver, B.C. for the eight-team, Vancouver Showcase. The Bulldogs start the rigorous tournament against Rutgers on Nov. 22. and will then play either Gonzaga or Notre Dame on Nov. 23. Drake's final contest of the tournament will be on Nov. 24 and be against either East Tennessee State, Oregon State, South Carolina or Western Kentucky.
 
After its trip to Vancouver, Drake plays at Creighton on Nov. 28. The Bulldogs and Bluejays played a four-overtime classic at the Knapp Center last season.
 
The program's annual "Kids Game" is set for Dec. 4 against Clarke University. Drake then has road games at South Dakota State on Dec. 8 and at Iowa State on Dec. 16. The Bulldogs' final non-conference game is versus Iowa on Dec. 21 at the Knapp Center. The Hawkeyes and Jackrabbits made the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
 
A pair of home exhibitions against Dubuque (Oct. 28) and Pittsburg State (Nov. 3)
will prepare Drake for the season. The MVC portion of the Bulldogs' schedule will be announced at a later date.
 
For ticket information visit www.draketix.com and to buy season tickets call 515-271-DOGS (3647).