FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball will tip off the 2025-26 season at home this weekend as the Lions host the MIAA/GAC Challenge at the Stubblefield Center.
The Lions will start the festivities against Arkansas-Monticello at 5:30 p.m. Friday followed by Southern Arkansas taking on Newman at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will see UAFS play Southern Arkansas at 2 p.m. with Newman and UAM playing at 4 p.m.
All four games will be streamed on the MIAA Network with live stats available at uafortsmithlions.com. Friday's UAFS game will air on Fox Sports Radio 103.5 while Saturday's contest will be on KOOL 104.7FM.
NOTES:
LAST SEASON: UAFS finished 18-11, 7-12 MIAA and earned the No. 6 seed in the MIAA Tournament in 2024-25.
SEASON OPENERS: UAFS is 9-7 in season openers in the NCAA II era.
HOME OPENER: The Lions are 11-5 in home openers since 2009-10.
KEY RETURNERS: The Lions return just five players from last years roster, including guard Telisha Brown and forward Layne Kirkendoll. Brown averaged 7.8 points a year ago while Kirkendoll averaged 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
NEW FACES: UAFS added 11 players this recruiting cycle, including six transfers and five freshmen.
SCOUTING UAM: The Blossoms return four players from a team that went 12-16, 7-15 GAC in 2024-25. Guard Alindsey Long returns after scoring 9.4 points per game to lead a team that features seven transfers and one freshman.
SCOUTING SAU: The Muleriders lost their top four scorers from a team that went 14-15, 9-14 GAC last season. Guard Marlee Bright returns to lead the offense after averaging 6.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
THE SERIES: UAFS is 8-3 all-time against UA-Monticello and 2-2 versus Southern Arkansas.
HEAD COACH: Ryan McAdams enters his fifth year leading the Lions with a record of 46-65. The Lions have improved their win total in each of the four seasons.
