BIRMINGHAM – UAB women’s basketball head coach Randy Norton has released the Blazers’ 2021-22 schedule. The 29-game slate features a pair of 2021 NCAA tournament teams and three WNIT teams along with 18 Conference USA games and 16 games played at Bartow Arena.
“We are very excited about the schedule we have put together. We play 16 games at home inside Bartow Arena which is good for both our girls and our fans,” said Norton. “Last year we started the youngest lineup in the league and one of the youngest in the country. We feel this schedule will prepare us for the challenges of Conference USA.”
Prior to the beginning of the regular season, UAB will host Spring Hill College in an exhibition game on Nov. 5.
The first game will be against Shorter University at home on Nov. 10.
UAB travels to the Windy City to play Chicago State on Nov. 13 in a homecoming for Lindsey Dullard, Emily Klaczek, Sara Rosenfeldt, Kylee Schneringer and Margaret Whitley.
Mississippi Valley State comes to Bartow Arena on Nov. 19. The Blazers have won all nine meetings against the Devilettes.
Before Thanksgiving, the Blazers head to California to take on San Diego State (Nov. 22) and Pepperdine (Nov. 24). This will be the first-ever meeting between UAB and SDSU and the first time since 1988 that the Blazers and Waves have met.
Chattanooga comes to town on Nov. 30. Last season, UAB defeated the Mocs 78-58.
In-state opponent Miles College comes to Birmingham on Dec. 5.
After a week off, the Blazers face crosstown rival Samford in Homewood on Dec. 12. Last season, the Bulldogs were SoCon regular season champions and advanced to the Memphis Regional semifinal consolation round of the WNIT.
UAB remains in Birmingham to host Arkansas Pine Bluff on Dec. 15. The Blazers travel to SoCon champion and NCAA Tournament participant Mercer on Dec. 19.
The nonconference season wraps up on Dec. 21 against Grambling.
“Conference USA will be very competitive once again. Every game will be a battle. The players and coaches are some of the best in the country,” said Norton.
C-USA play begins with a pair of games in Texas. The Blazers travel to UTEP on Dec. 30. The Miners return All-Conference USA First Team guard Katia Gallegos (13.8 ppg, 5.0 apg). On Jan. 1, UAB visits UTSA.
The conference home opener is Jan. 6 against North Texas. All-Conference USA First Team selection Quincy Noble (17.9 ppg) is back for the Mean Green. Defending WNIT champion Rice comes to Bartow on Jan. 8. The Owls will be without three time All-Conference USA First Team selection Nancy Mulkey (15.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 95 blocks) who transferred to Washington.
UAB heads to Florida to take on FIU on Jan. 13 and Florida Atlantic Jan. 15. The Blazers own a combined overall 21-6 record against the two schools.
A pair of byes is sandwiched between three home games – Louisiana Tech on Jan. 22, WKU on Jan. 27 and Marshall on Jan. 29. The Lady Techsters bring back Keiunna Walker (10.9 ppg) and the Thundering Herd return Savannah Wheeler (17.0 ppg), both USA Second Team selections.
Defending C-USA champion and NCAA Tournament auto bid recipient Middle Tennessee hosts UAB on Feb. 5. The Lady Raiders lose reigning Player of the Year and All-Conference USA First Team selection Anastasia Hayes (26.5 ppg, 5.1 apg) who transferred to Mississippi State.
Old Dominion comes to Birmingham on Feb. 13. All-Conference USA Second Team guard Amari Young (13.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg) returns to the Monarchs. She is one of two returning C-USA players to average a double-double, the other being UAB’s Zakyia Weathersby.
The Blazers return to Texas to take on Rice (Feb. 17) and North Texas (Feb. 19).
The final homestead of the season begins with UTSA on Feb. 23, continues with UTEP on Feb. 26 and concludes with Southern Miss on March 2. All-Freshman Team member Melyia Grayson (13.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg) returns for the Golden Eagles this year.
The regular season concludes at LA Tech on March 5.
“Our team’s goal for this season is no different than any other year, that’s to pursue championships in the classroom, on the court and out in the community with each of us doing our best every day, in everything we do,” added Norton.
In addition to Whitley and Weathersby, who were Second Team All-Conference selections, the Blazers return Caitlin Daniels who was on the All-Freshman Team. Dullard, Klaczek, Rosenfeldt and Schneringer join returners Maddie Walsh, Jasmine Gracie, Claudia Armato and Audrey Jordan. New to the squad are Lyndsey Robson (transfer from Green Bay), Maria Roters (transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson), Destinee McGhee (transfer from Arkansas) and freshman Anna Denes.
Women’s basketball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2021-22 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2021-22 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for Conference USA or NCAA Championship events.
For more information on the UAB women’s basketball team, follow @UAB_WBBALL on Twitter and Instagram.
