By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLINGTON, Texas - The countdown begins for the 2016-17 Lady Mavericks season as UT Arlington coach Krista Gerlich released her team's schedule on Tuesday.

Five nonconference games at College Park Center highlight the 2016 portion beginning with UTSA on Sunday, Nov. 13 as part of Homecoming weekend on campus.

"Our nonconference schedule gives us many challenges that I feel will prepare us for league play in the Sun Belt Conference," Gerlich said. "We open with UTSA, who always provides a great game and will be a tough opening opponent. I'm excited to have Wichita State and Stephen F. Austin in our facility, they both are well-respected programs from good conferences and both are always well coached."

UTA hits the road on Nov. 16 at WKU before returning home to host Wichita State on Sunday, Nov. 20. A featured road trip for the team sees the Lady Mavs travel to South Orange, N.J. on Nov. 26 and 27 in the Seton Hall Thanksgiving Classic. UTA opens against San Diego State.

The Lady Mavs return home for three of their final five nonconference games on the home court, beginning with Stephen F. Austin on Saturday Dec. 3. UTA travels to Kansas State on Dec. 7 for the third consecutive season. The Wildcats won their 2016 NCAA Tournament opener before falling to South Carolina in the second round.

The CPC portion concludes with back-to-back home games beginning on Dec. 11 vs. Eastern New Mexico and Dec. 18 against Texas A&M-Commerce.

UTA takes on its second Big 12 opponent of the season on Dec. 22 in Lubbock against Texas Tech.

"Traveling to WKU, Kansas State and Texas Tech will be extremely challenging but will give our team experience playing in difficult environments against high-quality opponents. We are excited to get this season started and our fans will have plenty of high-quality basketball to keep them entertained at College Park Center."

UTA opens Sun Belt play at home on Dec. 29 vs. Appalachian State.

The Lady Mavs return each of its Sun Belt All-Conference selections in juniors Rebekah VanDijk and Cierra Johnson. UTA was 15-16 overall in 2015-16 and were 10-10 in SBC play. Information regarding season and individual tickets will be released in the coming weeks.