FLORENCE, Ala. (September 3, 2025) – University of North Alabama women's basketball head coach Candi Whitaker announced the 2025-26 non-conference schedule on Wednesday, with UNA set for an 11-game slate prior to the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference schedule.
The Lions have five non-conference games in CB&S Bank Arena, opening the season in Florence versus UT Martin on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. UNA plays five of their first seven games at home before ending the non-conference schedule with four-straight games on the road.
UNA will also face Fisk, Tennessee State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff and have marquee matchups in the SEC at Oklahoma and Missouri.
"Our nonconference schedule will provide a challenge for us and prepare for the ensuing ASUN schedule," said Whitaker. "Our schedule is mix of solid mid-major competition within the region and two trips to SEC competition in Oklahoma and Missouri. I'm excited to see our team compete and grow throughout our non-conference games."
For information on season tickets, fans can call 256-765-5466 or visit this link.
NOTES
HOME COOKING: North Alabama's five home games find the Lions facing UT Martin, Fisk, Jacksonville State, West Alabama and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Lions face the Skyhawks on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m., followed by Fisk on Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. UNA plays rivals Jacksonville State on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., with West Alabama coming to Florence for a Nov. 22 matchup at 6 p.m. The final home non-conference matchup comes against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
ROAD TRIP!: The Lions hit the road for six away contests in four different states. The first game will be a test against SEC foe Oklahoma at 10:30 a.m., traveling to Norman on Nov. 14 for the program's first-ever matchup with the Sooners. UNA heads to Nashville next on Nov. 19 to face Tennessee State. The Lions end the non-conference schedule with four-straight away games, starting at Samford in Birmingham on Dec. 7. UNA travels to Mobile, Ala. for a Dec. 14 bout at South Alabama, staying in state for the next road matchup at Alabama A&M on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. The non-conference finale comes against SEC foe Missouri on Dec. 21 in Columbia. Times against Tennessee State, Samford, South Alabama and Missouri are TBD.
SWEEET HOME ALABAMA: The schedule sees North Alabama facing five teams from the state of Alabama, including Jacksonville State, West Alabama, Samford, South Alabama and Alabama A&M. UNA faces the rival Gamecocks for their first meeting since the 2022-23 season. The series is currently tied 22-22. The home bout versus West Alabama will be the two teams first matchup since the Gulf South Conference Tournament on Feb. 27, 2018. Samford, South Alabama and Alabama A&M serve as the final in-state matchups in return trips from the 2024-25 season. The Lions defeated South Alabama, 71-62, at home on Nov. 15, 2024.
SEC! SEC!: After a one-year hiatus, North Alabama will face SEC competition with the Lions facing Oklahoma and Missouri. UNA preps for the first all-time meeting against the Sooners followed by the third all-time meeting against Missouri. North Alabama has one all-time win versus SEC competition — a 74-71 victory at Vanderbilt on Nov. 6, 2018.
LIONS VS. TIGERS IN TENNESSEE: North Alabama's lone trip to Nashville finds the Lions facing Tennessee State on Nov. 19. It marks the first matchup since Nov. 23, 2022, where the Tigers defeated UNA in Florence, 83-71. The series is currently tied 2-2. The last Lions' win came in an 88-63 victory in Nashville on Nov. 18, 2019.
QUEENS OF THE JUNGLE: In a battle of Lions vs. Lions, North Alabama will battle the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in CB&S Bank Arena on Dec. 1. This marks the second all-time meeting in series history. UNA faced Arkansas-Pine Bluff first on Dec. 1, 2024, taking a 62-48 road win in Pine Bluff, Ark.
TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE: UNA faces one non-conference qualifier from last season's NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma. The No. 3 seed Sooners opened the tournament with an 81-58 victory against No. 14 FGCU. The following round also proved favorable for the Sooners, taking a 96-62 win against No. 6 Iowa. Oklahoma would fall in the Sweet 16 to No. 2 seed and eventual 2025 NCAA Tournament winners UConn, 82-59.
ASUN PLAY: UNA opens conference play on Thursday, Jan. 1 at FGCU. There are 18 conference games on the schedule this season, and for more information on the conference schedule, click here.
2025-26 North Alabama Women's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
11/3 UT Martin Home 6:00 p.m.
11/6 Fisk Home 11:00 a.m.
11/10 Jacksonville State Home 6:00 p.m.
11/14 Oklahoma Away 10:30 a.m.
11/19 Tennessee State Away TBA
11/22 West Alabama Home 6:00 p.m.
12/1 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Home 6:00 p.m.
12/7 Samford Away TBA
12/14 South Alabama Away TBA
12/17 Alabama A&M Away 6:00 p.m.
12/21 Missouri Away TBA
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
