MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The 2026-27 women's basketball season starts up Thursday in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, with three Southern States Athletic Conference teams opening up on the first day of the season and another six later in the weekend.

Defending champion Loyola opens the season ranked 19th in the NAIA Preseason Poll, while Faulkner and William Carey are each receiving votes.
 
The top 10 teams will qualify for the 2027 SSAC Women's Basketball Championship. The tournament begins February 23 and runs through February 27 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
 
Throughout the regular season and during the postseason, fans can stream matches for FREE at Urban Edge Network. 
 
2026-27 Season Openers
Thursday, October 22
Andrew at Georgia Gwinnett
Point vs. Brenau
UT Southern at (RV) University of the Cumberlands

Friday, October 23
ABAC vs. Paine
Thomas vs. Columbia International (at ABAC)
Xavier at Texas A&M - Texarkana

Saturday, October 24
Life at Coastal Georgia
#19 Loyola at Our Lady of the Lake

Monday, October 26
Blue Mountain at Tougaloo

Tuesday, October 27
Mobile vs. Stillman
Wesleyan at Toccoa Falls

Friday, October 30
Brewton-Parker vs. #21 Southeastern
(RV) Faulkner vs. #1 Marian
(RV) William Carey vs. LSU Alexandria (at Faulkner)