LOUDONVILLE — The Siena women’s basketball team will play nine non-conference games this season, including the opener Nov. 14 at home against Syracuse.

“We are excited to begin the 2008-2009 basketball season with a very competitive and challenging non-conference schedule,” said head coach Gina Castelli. “This schedule includes teams from a variety of different conferences with many unique styles of play. Every non-league game will help prepare us for MAAC play.”

Another highlight of the schedule will be an appearance in the Southern California tournament, where the Saints will play Duke (Dec. 19) and Harvard (Dec. 20).

Other non-league games include home against Rhode Island

(Nov. 17) in a double-header with the men’s team at the Times Union Center; at Boston University

(Nov. 20); at Eastern Michigan (Nov. 24); at Oakland [Mich.] (Nov. 26); home for a first meeting with Harvard (Nov. 30); and home against James Madison (Dec. 30).

Siena will be playing Eastern Michigan, Duke and James Mad­ison all for the first time.

Syracuse is coached by Quentin Hillsman and assisted by Matt Lun­eau who both served as assistants under Castelli. Syracuse assistant coach Mary McKissack-Grimes played for Siena and is a 2003 graduate of the college.