NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Lady Builders women's basketball program has released its 2026-27 schedule, a 25-game slate that blends conference tests, road trips, a pair of NCAA DI exhibition games, an opportunity to defend their 2025-26 New South Athletic Conference title, and a shot at the USCAA National Tournament.

The season tips off on the road in an exhibition game against Longwood University before the Lady Builders celebrate their home opener against Regent on Nov. 4. Following their home opener, they will travel to Penn State Beaver for a season tip-off tournament against USCAA foes.

Head coach Ieshia Small Gainey said the schedule was built intentionally to push a roster in transition from day one.

"We're excited about what this season has in store for us. With a few returners and a lot of freshmen and newcomers, we're bringing together a new group that will have to learn, grow, and compete together. We've put together a tough schedule, including some back-to-back games, that will challenge us early and give us opportunities to grow throughout the season. For us, this year is about staying together, trusting the process, and continuing to build our identity as a team. I'm excited to see how this group responds to the challenges ahead, continues to grow together, and shows what it means to represent the Lady Builders every time we step on the floor."

The Lady Builders will play a stretch of five straight home games from Dec. 2 through Dec. 13, welcoming Tidewater Community College, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Virginia Peninsula Community College, Eastern Mennonite University and Berkley College (N.Y.) to Newport News before closing out the calendar year with a two-game trip to South Carolina against Denmark Technical College and South Carolina Central Christian College.

Conference play continues into January and February, with rematches against Denmark Technical College and South Carolina Central Christian College at home over MLK weekend, Jan. 16-17, and a home-and-home series with Mid-Atlantic Christian University. The regular season wraps up Feb. 19 at Trinity Washington University before the Lady Builders turn their attention to postseason play.

The New South Athletic Conference Tournament is slated for Feb. 25-28 in Umatilla, Fla., with the USCAA National Tournament following March 7-13 in Buffalo, N.Y.