DENTON, Texas | UAH women's basketball opened the 2025-26 season in impressive fashion Friday afternoon, defeating No. 18 Southwest Minnesota State 70-65 at the Division II CCA Tip-Off Classic.

The Chargers never trailed in the contest, controlling the tempo from start to finish to earn their first win of the season.

Reigning Gulf South Conference Player of the Year Lili Wilken led all scorers with 28 points and added 11 rebounds to record a double-double. Wilken was also perfect from the free-throw line, going 6-for-6.

Bella White directed the offense with a game-high six assists while adding 13 points of her own as the Chargers held off a late push from the Mustangs.

Friday's victory marks UAH's first win over a nationally ranked opponent since the 2023-24 season, when the Chargers defeated then-No. 3 Tampa 65-59.

UAH will continue play at the DII CCA Tip-Off Classic on Saturday, taking on Wayne State at 3:30 p.m. at Kitty Magee Arena on the campus of Texas Woman's University.