AUBURN, Ala. – Tipoff on the Plains has arrived as Auburn women’s basketball welcomes Alabama State to Neville Arena Monday to open the 2026-27 season. Game time is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Trading cards featuring the 2026-27 Tigers will be available while supplies last.
Wiley Ballard and legendary Auburn women’s basketball coach Joe Ciampi will have the call on SEC Network+. The broadcast is available to eligible cable and streaming subscribers through the ESPN app or WatchESPN.com.
Brit Bowen and Larry DiChiara will provide radio coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m. CT on ESPN 106.7 FM. The broadcast can also be heard on AuburnTigers.com and the Auburn Athletics app. New for the 2026-27 season, a Courtside Cam livestream of the radio broadcast will be available on the Auburn women’s basketball Facebook page.
LAST TIME OUT
Auburn closed its exhibition slate with a dominant 106-44 victory over Columbus State on Oct. 28 at Neville Arena. The Tigers shot 65.2 percent from the floor, forced 28 turnovers and outscored the Cougars 35-5 in the third quarter while holding Columbus State to just 25.9 percent shooting.
Five Tigers scored in double figures, led by Kaitlyn Duhon’s 19 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Danielle Osho added 18 points, while Ashley Knox contributed 16 off the bench. Auburn recorded 28 assists, 18 steals and a 70-12 advantage in points in the paint.
AUBURN-ALABAMA STATE SERIES
Auburn owns a perfect 24-0 all-time record against Alabama State in a series dating back to the 1976-77 season. The Tigers are 16-0 at home, including a 7-0 mark at Neville Arena.
The Tigers have dominated recent meetings, winning each of the last five contests by an average of 41.8 points while holding the Lady Hornets below 50 points in all five.
SCOUTING THE LADY HORNETS
Alabama State enters the 2026-27 season under second-year head coach Johnetta Hayes after finishing 17-16 overall and 12-6 in SWAC play last season. The Lady Hornets advanced to the SWAC Tournament championship game and were picked to finish third in the league’s preseason poll.
The Lady Hornets return five letterwinners, highlighted by preseason All-SWAC second-team selections Caylee Simpson and Charlese McClendon. Simpson averaged a team-best 9.2 points per game last season, while McClendon contributed 6.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.
Alabama State also added several transfers, including Makala Hobdy from Jacksonville State and three players from North Carolina A&T, as the Lady Hornets look to build on last season’s conference championship appearance.
AN AUBURN WIN WOULD:
- Improve Auburn’s all-time record in season openers to 46-10.
- Improve Larry Vickers’ record in Auburn season openers to 2-0.
- Mark Auburn’s 47th win in its last 48 home openers.
- Improve Auburn’s all-time record against Alabama State to 25-0.
UP NEXT
Auburn’s homestand continues Thursday, Nov. 5, as the Tigers host Southern Miss at 6 p.m. CT at Neville Arena. Thursday’s contest is Comedy Night for the Troops, featuring a halftime comedy show and military appreciation throughout the game.
The contest will air on SEC Network+. Fans can hear the radio call on ESPN 106.7 FM, AuburnTigers.com or the Auburn Athletics app.