AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn fans will get their first look at the 2026-27 Auburn women’s basketball team Wednesday as the Tigers face UCF in exhibition action in Birmingham.
As part of the Ballin’ in Boutwell series, the Tigers and Knights will meet inside Boutwell Auditorium for a noon CT tip.
“We’re excited to play in Birmingham this year,” head coach Larry Vickers said. “We saw what the men’s game was like last year, so we’re excited to be part of that process. We’re looking forward to phase two of this program and where it is going. We just look to capitalize on some of those outstanding moments and continue to build more. We look to build that first one in Boutwell.”
ON THE AIR
Brit Bowen will have the radio call beginning at 11:45 a.m. CT. The broadcast can be heard on AuburnTigers.com and the Auburn Athletics app. The game will be streamed on the Hibbett Sports YouTube channel.
AUBURN-UCF SERIES
Auburn and UCF have met three times previously, with Auburn holding a 2-1 series advantage. The Tigers won the first two meetings, both held on the Plains. The Knights earned their first win over Auburn with a 60-53 victory in Orlando in 2023.
SCOUTING AUBURN: THE RETURNERS
Auburn returns six players from last season’s squad, led by graduate guard Kaitlyn Duhon, who averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds while establishing herself as one of the SEC’s top defensive players. Duhon recorded more than 100 steals, becoming just the second player in program history to reach the milestone in a single season.
Senior guard Ja’Mia Harris also returns after averaging 7.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game last season. Auburn native Syriah Daniels enters her junior campaign after appearing in 28 games, while sophomore guard Sania Richardson looks to build on a freshman season in which she averaged 3.3 points and 1.3 assists across 30 appearances.
The Tigers also return senior forward Quanirah Montague and junior guard Eva Garabadian, providing additional experience.
SCOUTING AUBURN | THE NEWCOMERS
Auburn welcomes eight newcomers to the Plains for the 2026-27 season, including six transfers and two freshmen. The incoming class features five players with previous Power Four experience and a pair of nationally ranked high school prospects.
Junior guard Sira Thienou headlines the incoming class after spending two seasons at Ole Miss. Thienou averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while starting all 29 games last season. She suffered an ACL injury during preseason practice and will not be available this season.
Sophomore guard Zahara Bishop joins Auburn from Seton Hall, where she earned BIG EAST All-Freshman honors after averaging 8.4 points and 3.3 rebounds. Graduate forward Jessica Peterson averaged 10.3 points and 12.0 rebounds at SMU in 2024-25, leading the ACC and ranking fourth nationally in rebounding. She spent the 2025-26 season at Miami.
Junior center Savannah Scott returns to Auburn after averaging 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds at UCF last season. She led the Knights with a 57.0 field-goal percentage. Junior guard Phoenix Stotijn arrives from Indiana with previous SEC experience, having averaged 7.2 points and 1.8 assists at Arkansas in 2024-25. Sophomore forward Danielle Osho joins the Tigers from Miami, where she averaged 2.5 points and 2.9 rebounds as a freshman.
Auburn also adds a pair of ESPN top-100 freshmen in guards Ashley Knox and Zaniyah Williams. Knox, ranked No. 72 nationally, averaged 19.2 points and 6.2 rebounds as a high school senior, while Williams was ranked No. 77 nationally after completing her prep career at Montverde Academy.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
UCF enters the 2026-27 season under first-year head coach Gabe Lazo. Lazo inherits a revamped roster featuring 10 newcomers and three returning players as the Knights look to turn the page under new leadership.
UCF’s backcourt is highlighted by Pitt transfer Mikayla Johnson, who led the Panthers in scoring last season with 13.0 points per game while adding 5.1 rebounds per contest.
Joining Johnson is Stephen F. Austin transfer Key Roseby, a first-team All-Southland selection who averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Junior forward Mahogany Chandler-Roberts provides experience in the frontcourt after starting all 30 games for the Knights last season.
UP NEXT
In the final test before Tipoff on the Plains, Auburn welcomes Columbus State to Neville Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for an exhibition contest. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be free to the public.