Preview: Women's Basketball Opens 2021-22 Home Slate

The Chicago State women's basketball team (0-1) opens its 2021-22 home schedule with a matchup against the UAB Blazers Saturday in Chicago, with the broadcast being carried live on ESPN+. For tickets, fans can purchase single-game or season packages here.

WHAT'S HAPPENING Chicago State continues its second season under head coach Tiffany Sardin, opening its home slate against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

ALL-TIME Chicago State and UAB meets for the second time ever. UAB leads the all-time matchup, 1-0, after the Blazers took down the Cougars, 90-45 on November 20, 2018.

LAST TIME OUT Chicago State fell in its season opener to Wichita State, 78-34. Aaliyah Collins led the team with 8 points while Christina Britter added 8 rebounds. The Cougars scored 32 of their 34 points after the first quarter.

SIZING UP THE BLAZERS With five Chicagoland natives on the roster, UAB will bring many of its players back home over the weekend. Last season, the Blazers, who are led by ninth-year head coach Randy Norton, went 10-13 (3-11 in Conference USA), winning one game in the C-USA Tournament in March. The Blazers beat Shorter University Wednesday night, 76-45. Emily Klaczek led with 18 points.

SQUAD UP Only three players from last season's roster return for Sardin's bunch: Christiina Britter, Ana Haklicka and Laura Segues. Sardin has added two assistant coaches, Tiffany Conner and Diana Martinez, two freshman, Taylor Norris and Aaliyah Collins, and six transfers: Quentarra Mitchell, Nafa Haidara, Kyjai Miles, Janiah Newell, Jazmine Covington and Allysah "Cookie" Boothe.

Information on how to follow the Cougars on Saturday is below:

Chicago State Cougars vs. UAB Blazers Date | Time Saturday, November 13 | 12 p.m. CT Location Jones Convocation Center  | Chicago, Illinois Television ESPN+ Live Stats Live Stats Game Notes Chicago State Notes

About Chicago State

Chicago State University Athletics is comprised of 15 intercollegiate teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. Melvin Bland was the first CSU student-athlete to gain NAIA All-American status in 1974 as a wrestler. Fred Evans became the first black swimmer ever to win a national championship in 1975. CSU's women's basketball team earned a spot in the 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational and CSU's men's basketball team won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament title and made an appearance in the CollegeInside.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).  The Men's Outdoor Track & Field 4x100-Meter Relay team were 2019 Honorable Mention All-Americans and WAC Champions. Their feat marked the first time the Chicago State's men's track & field program was represented at the national meet. 

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