Mount St. Mary's University's women's basketball program is set to make its debut in a groundbreaking early-season competition that brings together the nation's top mid-major conferences.
The America East-Metro Basketball Challenge will open its 2026-27 slate on November 5, when the Mount travels to Baltimore to face UMBC, and again on November 8, when it welcomes the University at Albany to Knott Arena in Emmitsburg.
A New Era for Northeast Women's Basketball
The matchup against UMBC will mark the 41st meeting between the two Maryland rivals, underscoring a long-standing in-state rivalry that has produced some of the most memorable moments in recent years.
This tournament represents the first-ever collaboration between the America East and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, uniting all 18 America East programs with a select group of Metro schools in a coordinated showcase that spans two seasons.
Among the Metro participants are Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Merrimack, Niagara, Quinnipiac, Rider, Sacred Heart, Saint Peter's, and Siena, each bringing their own brand of intensity to the early-season slate.
Notably, five of those Metro institutions field both men's and women's teams in the challenge, highlighting a commitment to gender equity that mirrors the broader push for balanced competition across the region.
For Mount St. Mary's, the games provide an early test against familiar foes and a chance to gauge where the team stands as it builds around a promising recruiting class.
Fans can expect a lively atmosphere at Knott Arena, where the Mount's faithful will hope to turn the home-court advantage into an early statement win as the program looks to cement its place in the new conference landscape.