BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 22, 2026)--The Morgan State women's basketball program has announced its highly anticipated 2026-27 non-conference schedule, which features 18 contests with only four being played at Hill Field House.
 
The challenging schedule consists of a mix of regional and national foes. Seven of Morgan's non-conference opponents advanced to postseason play last season, with four securing spots in the NCAA Tournament, two reaching the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) and one that played in the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT).
 
"At the end of the day that's what we're trying to play, have postseason play. I think it's preparing us for our league, because we had three teams from our league, that went to postseason play," said Morgan State head coach Nadine Domond on the makeup of the schedule.
 
"Howard of course, is the standard right now that everybody's chasing and then you have UMES and Norfolk State. So, I think we're just trying to prepare ourselves in position so we can be in postseason play. And I think we won't be so surprised when the opportunity is given, because we've played against so many different styles and games, and prepared these young ladies for the next level."
 
Also included on the schedule is the inaugural 410 Invitational, powered by Under Armour. The tournament will feature all four Division I Baltimore area Under Armour apparel schools (Morgan State, Loyola University Maryland, Towson, University of Maryland Baltimore County), as well as a holiday matchup against a former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member.   
 
Year two of the Coach Domond era gets underway at home, when the Lady Bears welcome Washington Adventist to Hill Field House for Education Day on Monday, Nov. 2.
 
Morgan State then heads on the road for a three-game road trip, where it will face three opponents that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season. First up is a stop in Boulder, Colo., to face Colorado on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Lady Bears will then travel to Oklahoma to visit Oklahoma State on Friday, Nov. 6 in Stillwater, before concluding the trip in Norman, to face Oklahoma on Sunday, Nov. 8.
 
"I think the opening week is one for us to learn, to grow, and to take one game at a time and take an opportunity to see what style of basketball is out there. And if we end up playing these people in postseason play, we know what it looks like. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, all those teams are great teams. They're good teams that play well, really good basketball, good coaches, and this is an opportunity for us to play better. You know, play against some top talent across the country and let people know that Morgan's not scared to play against anybody."
 
The Lady Bears return to Maryland to play four consecutive games and five of their next six contests in The Old Line State. First up is an opening round contest at UMBC in the 410 Invitational on Friday, Nov. 13. The Retrievers advanced to the postseason WNIT last season. On Sunday, Nov. 15, the team will then face either Loyola or Towson in the consolation (1 pm) or championship game (3:30 pm) played at Towson University.
 
"The 410 Invitational, we normally play those teams anyway, playing locally. So, a chance to bring everybody out in this area to come together, I think is a wonderful thing that I look forward to helping and grow the game but also developing and challenging ourselves to be who we need to be."
 
Morgan will entertain Virginia Lynchburg at home on Wednesday, Nov. 18, before paying a visit to College Park, Md. to face the University of Maryland. The Terrapins will be the fourth opponent that reached the 2026 NCAA Tournament. This will be the third meeting between the two programs and the first since the 2001-02 season.  
 
"I think playing local is always great," said Domond. "I think playing against Maryland, which has been a staple of women's basketball in the state of Maryland, and they've been playing well. Brenda's [Frese] just been an amazing coach over time. And I think having an opportunity to play against her would be great."
 
Following a road matchup against Virginia Commonwealth on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in Richmond, Va., the Lady Bears return home to close out the month hosting Cheyney on Monday, Nov. 30.
 
The Blue & Orange will head to the Nation's Capital to face Georgetown on Wednesday, Dec. 2, in Washington, D.C., before heading to The Sunshine State to face the University of South Florida on Friday, Dec. 4 in Tampa and the University of Central Florida on Monday, Dec. 7 in Orlando. Morgan State will play its final home contest of 2026 when it entertains Mount St. Mary's on Thursday, Dec. 10.
 
The Lady Bears will come off the semester exam period with another trip back to Florida for three contests in Miami. Morgan will first take part in the Florida International University (FIU) Christmas Tournament (Dec. 18-19). Morgan State begins tournament play against host FIU on Friday, Dec. 18, which advanced to the postseason WNIT, before renewing its rivalry with former MEAC foe, Hampton on Saturday, Dec. 19. It will be the first meeting between Morgan State and Hampton, since the Lady Pirates left the MEAC following the 2017-18 season.
 
MSU will close out its stay in the 305, when it visits the University of Miami on Sunday, Dec. 20. The Hurricanes, who played in last season's WBIT, and the Lady Bears last met during the 2013-14 season in Miami. The Lady Bears will then conclude their non-conference and the 2026 portion of the schedule with a stop in Norfolk, Va., to take on Old Dominion on Monday, Dec. 28.
 
"At the end of the day, when we wrap up our non-conference, I want us by that time to have our identity, to know who we are, to get some wins, to do some things, surprise some people, and be comfortable in who we are. We would like to be recognized by our style of play, our defensive style, our pressure, and that we have a special group of ladies that are exciting."
 
Added Domond, "I think all those games in non-conference are to prepare us for our conference, which is very, very competitive. Extremely competitive. I think our league has gotten better. It has great coaches and great minds. And I think for us, it's just trying to put ourselves in those positions when we come into the league prepared." 
 
Click here for the complete schedule.
 
For the latest Morgan State women's basketball news, schedules, and updates, visit MorganStateBears.com.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.