FORT SMITH, Ark. – The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women’s Basketball team embarks on a challenging stretch this week, facing three opponents in five days as they seek their first win of the season.
The Lions will first compete in the Drury Thanksgiving Classic, beginning tuesday wiht a 1 p.m. matchup against Truman State, followed by a 5:45 p.m. contest against host Drury on Wednesday. Both games will be streamed on the GLVC Sports Network. UAFS then returns to the Stubblefield Center to host Ouachita Baptist on Saturday at 2 p.m., a game broadcast on the MIAA Network and Fox Sports Radio 103.5. This week’s games represent an early-season test for the team as they navigate a competitive schedule and build momentum within the MIAA conference and against regional rivals. Live stats for all three games are available at uafortsmithlions.com.
UAFS is currently seeking its first victory following losses to Arkansas Tech and Southeastern Oklahoma State. In their most recent outing against southeastern Oklahoma, the lions achieved a season-high 11 three-pointers. Forward Marie Rose Priscilla Wemba has emerged as a key contributor off the bench,averaging 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds over her last two games, shooting an impressive 11-for-13 from the floor, including a perfect 5-for-5 against Southeastern Oklahoma.
Guard Telisha Brown leads the team in scoring, ranking fourth in the MIAA with 18.0 points per game. Forward Layne Kirkendoll is also making her mark, currently 11th in program history with 39 career blocks.
Truman State enters Tuesday’s game with a 1-3 record, led by guard Morgan Miller‘s 12.3 points per game.Drury boasts a 1-2 record, with guard Rhi Gibbons averaging 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds, and forward Sara Mendel contributing 13.7 points and 8.7 boards. ouachita Baptist is 1-1 on the season, relying on guard Madeleine Tipton, who averages 17.0 points per game.
Historically,UAFS holds a 1-0 record against Truman State,having defeated them in last year’s Drury Thanksgiving Classic. They are 0-7 against Drury and 5-4 all-time versus Ouachita Baptist.
