Canisius College women's basketball coach Terry Zeh has announced the non-conference schedule for the 2012-13 season. The 11 games features five home contests, including the season opener against cross-town rival the University at Buffalo and the program's first trip to the state of California since the 2004-05 season.

"We build our non-conference schedule to prepare our team for the different styles and challenges that take place during MAAC play," Zeh said. "There is a good mix of opponents, and the trip to California is something our team should definitely enjoy while facing good competition."

The Golden Griffins open their schedule in the Koessler Athletic Center for the third consecutive year as Canisius faces the University at Buffalo on Friday, Nov. 9. The Griffs play their first road game of the season at the University of Detroit on Tuesday, Nov. 13, the teams' first meeting since the 2009-10 season. Canisius returns home to host Bucknell (Nov. 17) and Oakland (Nov. 20).

After Thanksgiving, the Griffs play five of their next six games away from home, starting at Binghamton on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Canisius heads to Ohio to face Akron University on Dec. 1, before returning home to host Albany on Dec. 8. The Griffs take a week off for final exams before heading to the Reilly Center to face rival St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Dec. 16. Canisius then heads to Long Beach for two games in the Beach Classic, starting with the host 49ers on Dec. 20. The Griffs head to The Golden State for the first time since defeating San Diego State on Jan. 4, 2005. The Griffs conclude their non-conference schedule after Christmas, hosting Vermont on Saturday, Dec. 29.

The complete schedule will be later when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announces the full conference schedule. 

Schedule notes:  Canisius is starting at home for the third consecutive season. It is the first time in program history the Griffs will open the season in the Koessler Athletic Center... The Griffs and Bulls open the season for the first time since the 2008-09 season and for the fourth time in the last eight seasons... Canisius and Detroit are meeting for the first time since the 2009-10 season, which the Griffs won 54-52 on a last-second layup from Brittané Russell in Calihan Hall... Canisius hosts Bucknell for the first time since Dec. 11, 2002... Canisius and Oakland are meeting for the first time in program history... After not playing in 2011-12, Canisius and Binghamton meet after splitting games in 2009-10 and 2010-11... Canisius and Akron play for the first time since Jan. 27, 1990... Canisius and Albany are playing in the KAC for the third time in the last four years with the previous two games being Canisius victories... The Griffs and Bonnies are playing for the ninth consecutive season - every year Zeh has been the head coach at Canisius... Canisius has never played Long Beach State and has played five previous games in the state of California...  Canisius and Vermont meet for the first time since Dec. 15, 2002.