ROME, Ga. – The Shorter Women's Basketball team will take the court for the first time in the 2025-26 season, where they will face off against UAB at Bartow Arena this Thursday at 7:00 PM EST. Admission for the exhibition game is free for all fans.  
 
This marks the first chance for fans to see this year's Hawks under head coach LaSheena Brooks, who enters her 5th season leading Shorter. The Hawks finished 21-7 overall while going 15-5 in conference action. The Hawks' 21 wins were the largest turnaround in the NCAA last season. Shorter also found success in the postseason, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Conference Carolinas Championships last season. 
 
The Hawks brought in a talented recruiting class, which included six newcomers. Shorter brought in three freshmen, three JUCO transfers, and one Division I player. Shorter returns six from last year's roster, including Victoria Smiley, Ahtiana Benway, Rhyan Wilson, Amya Patterson, Amiya Redus, Jordan Kierbow, and Ashley Washington. 
 

Thursday's match-up is the fourth consecutive season UAB has faced the Hawks in an exhibition game. The Hawks played closely against the Blazers last year, falling in a narrow 72-64 final. 
 

"I'm excited to put our team to the test early in order to get us prepared for our true season, which starts November 13th", said Head Coach LaSheena Nation. "We are still learning to play together with so many new pieces, but the competitiveness is there and in this time of year that's what will help us build our foundation and habits". 



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