WILMINGTON, N.C. - Contests against Peach State rival Georgia State will serve as the bookends to the 2009-10 Colonial Athletic Association schedule for the UNC Wilmington women's basketball team. 

The Seahawks open the 18-game slate with an appearance in the Georgia State Sports Arena on Jan. 3 and will close out the regular season with a visit from the Panthers on March 3.

"We are looking forward to the 2009-2010 women's basketball slate although it will certainly provide many challenges throughout the season," said UNCW Head Coach Ann Hancock. "It will test our ability to make a quick turn-around from long road trips and get prepared to play opponents on short notice.  I believe with the veteran team we have returning and the blend of newcomers, we will be ready to attack each game with intensity and focus.  I also believe our depth at key positions will be a factor in our approach to the CAA schedule. ."

UNCW will play two of its first three games in Trask Coliseum as they follow the league lid-lifter against the Panthers with back-to-back home games against NCAA Tournament participant Virginia Commonwealth and William & Mary. The Seahawks finish out the regular season with two of their final three games on the road as trips to George Mason and Drexel, also an NCAA Tournament team, precede the season finale.   

The CAA schedule features home-and-home dates with George Mason, Georgia State, Hofstra, Northeastern, Towson, VCU, and William & Mary. The Seahawks play Delaware, Drexel, James Madison and Old Dominion just once during the regular season.

UNCW leads the all-time series with Georgia State by a 5-4 margin, with all but one of those meetings coming since the Panthers joined the league in 2005-06. The two teams split their season series last season as the Seahawks posted a 61-49 victory at home on Jan. 4 before the Panthers recorded a 70-67 victory in Atlanta on Feb. 26.

"This time of year is always filled with anticipation and excitement to see how the CAA schedule will be played out over the course of a three month time frame," said Hancock.  "We are eager to begin the journey of a new college basketball season and look forward to a fantastic conclusion in Harrisonburg, Va., at the CAA Championship."