Under the guidance of new head coach Mike Brandt, the Minot State women’s basketball team is poised for an exciting season on the hardwood and pleased to announce its 2021-22 schedule, which begins with an exhibition game at Dickinson State on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 2 pm.

After fine-tuning on the road against in-state foe the Blue Hawks, the Beavers tip off the Coach Brandt-era in earnest at one of the premier early-season tournaments, playing a trio of games at the D2CCA Tip Off at the Trailhead tournament hosted by Montana State-Billings, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 5-7. Minot State opens the tournament – which features reigning NCAA D-II National Champion Lubbock Christian (Texas) in the 10-team field – against the host Yellowjackets on Nov. 5.

“We are very excited to play in the Tip Off classic,” coach Brandt said. “It is a great opportunity for us to use three extra games to prepare our team for conference action, and especially important with our team going through a coaching change. “

Minot State takes on Kutztown University (Pa.) on Saturday in the tournament, then plays Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) on Sunday. Neither team played last season because of COVID.

Following the Tip Off tournament in Montana, the Beavers make their home debut with back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 11 and 12, at the MSU Dome hosting Black Hills State.

“The home opener against Black Hills State is an opportunity to make a great first impression to our fans,” Brandt said.

The Beavers then conclude a brief homestand with an exhibition rematch against visiting Dickinson State on Nov. 16 before heading to the Southwestern Minnesota State University Tournament on Nov. 19 and 20 where the Beavers take on Truman State University (Mo.) and Maryville University (Mo.).

Following the weekend in Minnesota, the Beavers are back to the MSU Dome to open NSIC play against in-state rival the University of Mary on Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m., the first of three games at home as Minot State hosts an exhibition against Valley City State on Nov. 20, then entertains Northern State in another NSIC contest on Dec. 2.

Minot State then hits the road for three straight, playing Dec. 4 at Minnesota State Moorhead, at the University of Minnesota Duluth on Dec. 10, and at St. Cloud State on Dec. 11.

The Beavers close out the 2021 portion of the schedule at home on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 and 18, hosting the University of Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State, respectively, then take two weeks off to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s.

The new year brings a quick trip to Bismarck for the Beavers, who open the 2022 portion of the slate at the University of Mary on Jan. 2, then Minot State travels to Southwestern Minnesota State on Jan. 7, and the University of Sioux Falls on Jan. 8.

Minot State next returns home for four straight, hosting Augustana University on Jan. 14, and Wayne State on Jan. 15. Back in action at home at the MSU Dome on Jan. 21, the Beavers host Minnesota State, Mankato, then wrap up the homestand hosting Concordia, St. Paul on Jan. 22.

Then come four straight on the road, at Upper Iowa University and Winona State on Jan. 28 and 29, then at Bemidji State and the University of Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 4 and 5.

The regular season concludes with the Beavers hosting 3 of the final 4 games on the schedule as St. Clous State visits the MSU Dome on Feb. 11, then Minnesota Duluth is in town on Feb. 12. The Beavers make a quick mid-week trip to Northern State on Thursday, Feb. 17, then close the home and regular season hosting Minnesota State Moorhead on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Playoff action begins Wednesday, Feb. 23, with individual schools hosting first-round games, then the NSIC Tournament moves to Sioux Falls, S.D., and the Sanford Pentagon, starting Saturday, Feb. 26, for four days of championship action on the hardwood with a berth to the NCAA National Tournament at stake.