CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina University women’s basketball program and head coach Alan LeForce have announced the 2006-07 schedule today (Aug. 21) which includes 15 games in the Conway/Myrtle Beach area, a home game against Final Four participant North Carolina, an in-season tournament in Indiana and a full slate of Big South Conference games.

The Lady Chanticleers start the regular season in Charleston, S.C., against the College of Charleston Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The home opener is four nights later with a 6 p.m., start against Southern Virginia. Coastal will then spend Thanksgiving weekend at the Ball State Tournament Nov. 25-26. The Lady Chants face IPFW Saturday at 1 p.m., and face either Howard or Ball State on Sunday. A road game at Furman on Dec. 2 is followed by home games against Campbell (Dec. 11) and North Greenville (Dec. 13).

After a game at UNC Greensboro Dec. 16, Coastal will play its next seven games in the Conway/Myrtle Beach area. The Lady Chants had two games in three days at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Coastal faces North Carolina Monday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., which will be part of a men’s/women’s doubleheader. Coastal then faces UNC Wilmington Dec. 20 in the Crescent Bank Carolinas Challenge. North Carolina and St. John’s will play the second game that night.

Coastal will face Converse, Coker and Savannah State at home before opening the Big South schedule Jan. 13 against Liberty at Kimbel Arena. Coastal has two separate three-game road trips in the month of February and ends the regular season at Charleston Southern March 3.

"Our schedule is very competitive," LeForce said. "It’s highlighted by North Carolina coming to the Convention Center. We’re playing four Southern Conference schools, a Colonial school, an Atlantic Sun school and are playing at the Ball State Tournament.

"It’s going to be demanding because eight of our 14 players have never played Division I basketball. I think that we are, as far as talent, probably more talented since I’ve ever been, but we’re young. It’s a good schedule. Before we get to conference play, we’ll face some good teams and that will give us an indication of where we are and where we need to go."

Coastal returns three starters and six letterwinners from last year’s 18-10 team. Coastal tied for third place in the Big South standings at 7-7 and advanced to the semifinals of the Big South Tournament.