University of Southern Mississippi Athletics

Lady Eagles Open Cancun Challenge Against UAB
11/26/2025 8:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball plays the first of three straight games away from home against UAB on Thursday, Nov. 27, in game four of the 2025 Cancun Challenge. Tipoff for the 72nd all-time meeting between the Lady Eagles and Blazers is set for 5:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. ET) with broadcasts on FloCollege and the Southern Miss Sports Network.
After taking on UAB Thursday evening, the Lady Eagles will play No. 25/24 North Carolina State on Friday at 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET).
Southern Miss enters the Cancun Challenge at a perfect 6-0 after rolling to an 86-60 win over Nicholls in their last time out. The Lady Eagles will be playing out of the United States for the third time overall with Southern Miss holding a 1-4 overall ledger overseas. The games will be Southern Miss' first in Mexico since the 2007 Caribbean Classic in Moon Palace, Mexico.
Carly Keats (Philadelphia, Miss.) leads Southern Miss with 15.2 points per game with all five Lady Eagle starters averaging double-figures on the year. Keats ranks highly nationally as well with her 3.17 three-pointers per game ranking 18th and her 45.2 percent three-point percentage ranking 64th.
About UAB
The Blazers (2-3) fell to 2-3 on the year after dropping a 91-79 decision at Murray State. UAB is led by 13th-year head coach Randy Norton who holds a 214-162 overall record leading the Blazers. Eleecia Carter leads the squad with 15.6 points per game with four Blazers averaging double-figures so far.
UAB is coming into form after a rough start to the year, returning Journey Armstead from injury. Armstead has started in the last three games for the Blazers with lineups featuring her sitting at 2-1 this year. Eight newcomers dot the Blazers' lineup as well, contributing to their early struggles to the 2025-26 campaign.
The UAB Series
Southern Miss and UAB meet for the 72nd time in series history and for the first time this season. Southern Miss leads the all-time series 42-29 with the series being the most played in both team's history.
The series began on Jan. 6, 1979, with UAB taking the first meeting. The two teams have now met in 40 of the last 48 seasons including 34 of the last 35, missing only 2022-23. The two schools shared Conference USA from 1995 until Southern Miss' departure in 2022.
About North Carolina State
The Wolfpack (3-3) fell in their last matchup against Rhode Island but remain ranked in the AP and WBCA polls, pulling in the 25th and 24th spots in the polls, respectively. Four members of the Pack average double-figures with Khamil Pierre leading the group with 13.3 and Zoe Brooks closely following with 13.0.
Pierre also averages a double-double to lead the Wolfpack with 10.8 rebounds per game. Tilda Trigger is the team's most efficient shooter with a 48.9 percent field goal percentage.
Head coach Wes Moore is in his 13th season in Raleigh and sports a 304-98 overall record with North Carolina State. Overall, he is 862-267 in 37 years in the NCAA and 662-211 in Division I when including his record at Chattanooga.
The North Carolina State Series
Friday's meeting will be the second all-time between Southern Miss and North Carolina State. The Wolfpack won the only prior meeting 78-43 in Raleigh, N.C., in Rick Reeves' first season leading Southern Miss on Nov. 20, 1999.
The 2025 Cancun Challenge
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
10 a.m. – (RV) South Dakota State vs. No. 12 North Carolina
12:30 p.m. – Kansas State vs. Columbia
3 p.m. – Green Bay vs. No. 25 North Carolina State
5:30 p.m. – UAB vs. Southern Miss
8 p.m. – No. 8 TCU vs. (RV) Richmond
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
10 a.m. – No. 12 North Carolina vs. Kansas State
12:30 p.m. – Columbia vs. (RV) South Dakota State
3 p.m. – Southern Miss vs. No. 25 North Carolina State
5:30 p.m. – No. 8 TCU vs. UAB
8 p.m. – (RV) Richmond vs. Green Bay
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025
10 a.m. – Kansas State vs. (RV) South Dakota State
12:30 p.m. – Columbia vs. No. 12 North Carolina
Support Southern Miss Women's Basketball
Support Southern Miss women's basketball by purchasing your season tickets today for just $75. Visit smttt.info/WBBTix today to purchase your seats.
Follow The Lady Eagles
Follow the Lady Eagles on Twitter (@SouthernMissWBB), Instagram (@southernmisswbb) or on Facebook (/SouthernMissWBB) to stay up-to-date on Southern Miss women's basketball. Fans can visit Southern Miss.com or download the Southern Miss GameDay app to see full schedules, releases and more.
After taking on UAB Thursday evening, the Lady Eagles will play No. 25/24 North Carolina State on Friday at 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET).
Southern Miss enters the Cancun Challenge at a perfect 6-0 after rolling to an 86-60 win over Nicholls in their last time out. The Lady Eagles will be playing out of the United States for the third time overall with Southern Miss holding a 1-4 overall ledger overseas. The games will be Southern Miss' first in Mexico since the 2007 Caribbean Classic in Moon Palace, Mexico.
Carly Keats (Philadelphia, Miss.) leads Southern Miss with 15.2 points per game with all five Lady Eagle starters averaging double-figures on the year. Keats ranks highly nationally as well with her 3.17 three-pointers per game ranking 18th and her 45.2 percent three-point percentage ranking 64th.
About UAB
The Blazers (2-3) fell to 2-3 on the year after dropping a 91-79 decision at Murray State. UAB is led by 13th-year head coach Randy Norton who holds a 214-162 overall record leading the Blazers. Eleecia Carter leads the squad with 15.6 points per game with four Blazers averaging double-figures so far.
UAB is coming into form after a rough start to the year, returning Journey Armstead from injury. Armstead has started in the last three games for the Blazers with lineups featuring her sitting at 2-1 this year. Eight newcomers dot the Blazers' lineup as well, contributing to their early struggles to the 2025-26 campaign.
The UAB Series
Southern Miss and UAB meet for the 72nd time in series history and for the first time this season. Southern Miss leads the all-time series 42-29 with the series being the most played in both team's history.
The series began on Jan. 6, 1979, with UAB taking the first meeting. The two teams have now met in 40 of the last 48 seasons including 34 of the last 35, missing only 2022-23. The two schools shared Conference USA from 1995 until Southern Miss' departure in 2022.
About North Carolina State
The Wolfpack (3-3) fell in their last matchup against Rhode Island but remain ranked in the AP and WBCA polls, pulling in the 25th and 24th spots in the polls, respectively. Four members of the Pack average double-figures with Khamil Pierre leading the group with 13.3 and Zoe Brooks closely following with 13.0.
Pierre also averages a double-double to lead the Wolfpack with 10.8 rebounds per game. Tilda Trigger is the team's most efficient shooter with a 48.9 percent field goal percentage.
Head coach Wes Moore is in his 13th season in Raleigh and sports a 304-98 overall record with North Carolina State. Overall, he is 862-267 in 37 years in the NCAA and 662-211 in Division I when including his record at Chattanooga.
The North Carolina State Series
Friday's meeting will be the second all-time between Southern Miss and North Carolina State. The Wolfpack won the only prior meeting 78-43 in Raleigh, N.C., in Rick Reeves' first season leading Southern Miss on Nov. 20, 1999.
The 2025 Cancun Challenge
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
10 a.m. – (RV) South Dakota State vs. No. 12 North Carolina
12:30 p.m. – Kansas State vs. Columbia
3 p.m. – Green Bay vs. No. 25 North Carolina State
5:30 p.m. – UAB vs. Southern Miss
8 p.m. – No. 8 TCU vs. (RV) Richmond
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
10 a.m. – No. 12 North Carolina vs. Kansas State
12:30 p.m. – Columbia vs. (RV) South Dakota State
3 p.m. – Southern Miss vs. No. 25 North Carolina State
5:30 p.m. – No. 8 TCU vs. UAB
8 p.m. – (RV) Richmond vs. Green Bay
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025
10 a.m. – Kansas State vs. (RV) South Dakota State
12:30 p.m. – Columbia vs. No. 12 North Carolina
Support Southern Miss Women's Basketball
Support Southern Miss women's basketball by purchasing your season tickets today for just $75. Visit smttt.info/WBBTix today to purchase your seats.
Follow The Lady Eagles
Follow the Lady Eagles on Twitter (@SouthernMissWBB), Instagram (@southernmisswbb) or on Facebook (/SouthernMissWBB) to stay up-to-date on Southern Miss women's basketball. Fans can visit Southern Miss.com or download the Southern Miss GameDay app to see full schedules, releases and more.
– #ELEVATE | #SMTTT –
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