FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo 2011-2012 women’s basketball schedule features 26 contests, including 12 home games inside BankTrust Arena, according to the slate released by the school Sept. 19.

Montevallo will play a home-and-home series with defending NCAA Division II National Champions Clayton State University, and will also host Lander University, which finished the season ranked sixth, and USC-Aiken, which finished the season ranked No. 13.

The Falcons open the season Nov. 7 on the road at the Samford University for an exhibition game against the Division I institution. The tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Montevallo’s first regular season game comes later that week as the Falcons host the University of North Alabama on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. The game will also be Meet the Falcons night, where fans will get the chance to receive autographs from the players as well as meet the coaching staff.

The Falcons will then host the University of West Georgia on Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. The game will mark the annual Faculty/Staff Appreciation night, where select faculty and staff members from Montevallo will be honored prior to tip off.

Montevallo hits the road for four contests, including three games against in-state rivals University of West Alabama, Miles College and University of Alabama at Huntsville. Two of the four road contests will be part of the University of West Florida Tip-Off Classic, including the Falcons’ game against West Alabama.

The Falcons return home for their Peach Belt Conference opener against Georgia Southwestern State University on Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. The next contest will also be at home and against a conference opponent in Columbus State University. The game will be Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and is Junior Falcon night, where members of the Junior Falcon program will be honored.

Montevallo will have two more home games in December: on the 10th against Miles College and on New Year’s Eve against the University of West Alabama. Miles will tip off at 1:30 p.m., while the West Alabama game tips at 2 p.m.

All 15 contests following the West Alabama game will be against conference opponents.

Some featured home matchups will be Lander University coming to Montevallo on Jan. 14 for a 1:30 tip, USC-Aiken on Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Clayton State University on Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.  The USC-Aiken game will be extra special for Hilbrich, who will be coaching against her former team as she spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach at the South Carolina school.

The Falcons will participate in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness event put together by the Women’s Basketball Coaches of America. This year’s event is titled Play4Kay, benefiting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. That event will take place Feb. 18 against Georgia College at 1:30 p.m.

Montevallo will honor its seniors on Feb. 25 against North Georgia College and State University. The game is scheduled for a 1:30 start.