FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball has announced its 2025-26 schedule, with the Lions slated to play 28 games this season, including 19 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association contests.

UAFS will start the season with an exhibition at the University of Arkansas on October 30, marking the third time the Lions have unofficially opened the season against the Razorbacks.

The Lions will then tip off the regular season by hosting the MIAA/GAC Challenge at the Stubblefield Center, taking on Arkansas-Monticello on November 14 followed by Southern Arkansas Nov. 15.

Nonconference play then continues with home games against Arkansas Tech, Ouachita Baptist and Drury with visits to Southeastern Oklahoma State and Maryville University. UAFS will also play in the Drury Thanksgiving Classic against Truman State and host Drury.

UAFS will play two MIAA contests in December, starting December 2 at Northeastern State and then Dec. 6 at Newman before returning to nonconference action.

MIAA play gets in full swing on New Year's Day as the Lions host Pittsburg State and then Missouri Southern on January 3. The first road contests of the new year will be Jan. 7 at Rogers State and Jan. 10 at Central Oklahoma.

Remaining home league games include Northeastern State, Newman, Emporia State, Nebraska-Kearney, Fort Hays State, Central Oklahoma and Rogers State. Road opponents include Missouri Southern, Pittsburg State, Washburn, Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri.

The MIAA Championship is slated for March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

The league released its preseason polls Monday at MIAA Media Day, with the Lions tabbed eighth in the media poll and 10^th in the coaches poll. The full polls can be found below.

2025-26 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
1. Fort Hays State [2] – 152 points
2. Washburn [6] – 148 points
3. Pittsburg State [5] – 144 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 138 points
5. Nebraska Kearney – 135 points
6. Missouri Western – 99 points
7. Missouri Southern – 95 points
8. Northwest Missouri – 78 points
9. Northeastern State – 76 points
10. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 73 points
11. Emporia State – 48 points
12. Central Oklahoma – 44 points
13. Rogers State – 28 points
14. Newman – 16 points
[#] - First Place Votes
 
2025-26 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 326 points
2. Fort Hays State [5] – 299 points
3. Washburn [3] – 276 points
4. Central Missouri [4] – 271 points
5. Nebraska Kearney – 268 points
6. Missouri Western – 227 points
7. Northwest Missouri – 187 points
8. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 185 points
9. Missouri Southern – 176 points
10. Emporia State – 127 points
11. Northeastern State – 111 points
12. Central Oklahoma – 92 points
13. Rogers State – 49 points
14. Newman – 31 points
[#] - First Place Votes