Women's Basketball Unveils 2023-24 Non-Conference Slate

NJIT women's basketball head coach Mike Lane announced the non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 season, which includes four teams that reached postseason in 2023 and is highlighted by a visit from Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent Notre Dame and a trip south to Miami (FL).

"I'm excited to announce our 2023-24 non-conference schedule, especially since the Highlanders will be hosting perennial power, and my alma mater, the University of Notre Dame on Sunday, November 12," explained sixth-year head coach Mike Lane. "It is a thrill to have one of our sport's top programs come into Newark and play at The WEC. Notre Dame means a lot to me and my family, so to face off against the Irish will clearly be a huge challenge for our program, but a game that I, along with our squad, will remember for a long, long time. We travel to another ACC power when we take on the Miami Hurricanes on December 3. Miami is coming off an Elite Eight appearance in last year's tournament. It is an incredible opportunity to face this top-flight competition."

For the first time in program history, NJIT will host Notre Dame Sunday, Nov. 12 inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center. The Irish, who reached the 2023 NCAA Sweet Sixteen, finished with a 27-6 overall record. NJIT's Lane is a 1993 graduate of Notre Dame, where he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.

Miami, who the Highlanders will visit for the first time Dec. 3, reached the 2023 NCAA Elite Eight, finishing with a 22-13 overall record.

The Highlanders will make a short trip to Northeast Conference regular season champion Fairleigh Dickinson (24-8 overall, 14-2 NEC) on Nov. 29. FDU earned an automatic qualifier bid to the 2023 WNIT due to the Knights winning the NEC regular season title.

Lane added, "We face five opponents that have not been on our schedule recently. We travel to Army West Point, Sacred Heart and Hofstra; and host Merrimack and Saint Francis U."

NJIT will travel to 2023 Northeast Conference Champion Sacred Heart (19-14 overall, 12-4 NEC) Dec. 6. The Pioneers registered the first NCAA Tournament win in program history and the first win for a Northeast Conference women's team.

NJIT will play 13 games outside the America East, seven home and six on the road.

The Highlanders will tip off the 2023-24 campaign on the road Nov. 6 at Army before returning to Newark for four straight inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.

"The schedule rounds out with six regional rivalries against FDU, Rider, Saint Peter's, Wagner, LIU and Lafayette," said Lane.

The four-game homestand will begin with welcoming first-time opponents Merrimack Nov. 10 and ACC opponent Notre Dame Sunday, Nov. 12 followed by Rider Nov. 15 and Wagner Nov. 18.

NJIT will start a five-game road trip on November 21 at Lafayette, make a trip out to Long Island and visit Hofstra Nov. 25, a short trip to Fairleigh Dickinson Nov. 29 and begin the December slate in Florida, visiting Miami (FL) Dec. 3 and wrap up its five-game road stretch Dec. 6 at Sacred Heart.

The remainder of December will be spent in Newark, welcoming Saint Peter's Dec. 12, Saint Francis U Dec. 15 and closing out 2023 against LIU Dec. 31.

Lane concluded, "The aim in scheduling is to challenge your team, prepare them for conference play, and have some fun along the way. I am confident this schedule does just that."