LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville women's basketball team will look to open the much-anticipated season in strong form this weekend when it hosts the 2012 Comfort Inn GSC/SIAC Challenge at Kelly Court at Spragins Hall. The Lady Chargers will battle Benedict on Saturday at 7 p.m. before turning around to face Tuskegee at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
North Alabama is also participating in the event as UNA will play Tuskegee at 5 p.m. on Saturday while facing off against Benedict on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Blue and White – ranked No. 21 in the Division II Bulletin preseason poll – have lofty expectations as the head coaches of the Gulf South Conference picked the Lady Chargers to win the league after the squad's appearance in the GSC Tournament championship game a year ago.
If Head Coach Roy Heintz is to see his team meet that goal, the group will need continued terrific play by two-time All-American honorable mention selection
Jasmine Hammon. Last season she ranked 42nd in the country, aiding the team's cause in becoming the 10th-most powerful scoring offense in Division II.
Fellow all-region player
Jordan Smith will also be looked upon to continue to contribute strong showings night in and night out a year after ranking fourth in the GSC in scoring while placing second with 58 made 3-pointers.
Both Hammon and Smith were named to the Preseason All-GSC Team.
The meeting marks the third all-time against Benedict, and the series is tied 1-1 after UAH won 78-67 on the road a year ago. The all-time series with Tuskegee is also knotted up at 2-2 with the Lady Chargers taking the last meeting between the two squads with an 87-46 victory in Nov. 1996.
Bailee Robinson led the squad against Benedict last year as she scored 19 points, and Hammon recorded a double-double in the contest with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Live stats and video for the UAH contests will be available at uahchargers.com.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Chargers on Facebook (facebook.com/uahchargers) and on Twitter (@uahchargers), and supporters of the Blue and White may sign up for text and e-mail updates at uahchargers.com.
