Thrilling Season Opener: Honets’ Women’s Basketball Battles Hard but Falls to UGA

ATHENS, Ga. — The 2025–26 season for Alabama State women’s basketball began on a tough note as they faced Georgia, losing 73–44 at Stegeman Coliseum.

Charlese McClendon shone for Alabama State, scoring 13 points, including three shots from beyond the arc. Caylee Simpson contributed with eight points and four assists. Clearia Peterson added four points and showed her defensive skills with two blocks, while Kaia Ponder led the team in rebounds with six.

Alabama State’s shooting stats showed promise: they hit 33.3% of their shots overall and 41.7% from three-point range. They outscored Georgia’s bench 25 to 21 and capitalized on 14 turnovers from their opponents.

Georgia, starting the season strong at 1–0, led 21–8 after the first quarter and maintained a 31–14 edge at halftime. Alabama State did improve in the second half, shooting 45.5% in the third and an impressive 60% from three in the final quarter.

For Georgia, Mia Woolfolk was a standout, leading her team with 15 points. Dani Carnegie and Rylie Theuerkauf added 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Bulldogs shot 45% from the field and dominated on the boards with a 39–28 advantage.

This game marked the debut of Johnetta Hayes as head coach for Alabama State, highlighting a new era for the Hornets.

The team is looking to bounce back this Saturday, November 8, against Auburn University at 1 p.m.

Additional Insights

Recent trends show that more college basketball teams are focusing on their three-point game. In fact, according to a study by the NCAA, the average three-point shooting percentage has increased to 34% over the last five years. This aligns with Alabama State’s strategy, as evidenced by their successful shooting from beyond the arc in this game.

Social media reactions indicate excitement around the new coaching staff, with fans expressing hope for stronger performances as the season progresses. With the right adjustments and more practice, the Hornets aim to turn their season around.

For more in-depth insights on the season’s performance, you might want to check out this NCAA report on shooter efficiency to see how teams are adapting their strategies.

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