DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's basketball team will open the 2026-27 season on Nov. 6 at the CCA Tip-Off Classic in Owensboro, Ky.  The Warriors are scheduled to face Carson-Newman on Friday at 3 p.m. (ET) and Union (Tenn.) on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. (ET).  The CCA Tip-Off Classic is hosted by Kentucky Wesleyan at the Owensboro Sportscenter. 

Wayne State enters the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on a 24-8 season that included an NCAA Midwest Regional appearance. 

SEASON OUTLOOK 
Senior guard McKenna Ferguson (Grandville, Mich. / Byron Center) returns to lead WSU in 2026-27 after earning Preseason First Team All-GLIAC honors.  As the team's lone returning starter, Ferguson is coming off a junior season in which she claimed First Team All-GLIAC and GLIAC All-Defensive Team recognition.  She led the Warriors with 16.5 points per game, while averaging 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals per contest.  Ferguson also reached the 1,000-career-point milestone and enters her senior campaign with 1,148 points, ranking 13th in program history. 

WSU will look for increased contributions from several returning players, including Koko Sylvester (Toledo, Ohio / Start), Emily Homan (Haslett, Mich.), DeMaya Asberry (Warren, Mich. / Cousino), AJ Rickli (Mattawan, Mich. / Paw Paw) and Annabel Ayrault (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North).  Homan appeared in all 32 games last season, recording career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals.  Sylvester averaged 3.3 points per game in 27 appearances, while Ayrault contributed 3.0 points per game and shot 34.5 percent from beyond the arc.  Asberry and Rickli also look to build on the experience they gained during their rookie seasons.  

The Warriors welcome a mix of experienced transfers and first-year players to the roster.  Forward Kylee Fears (Hamilton, Ohio / Talawanda [Merrimack]), guards Halen McLaughlin (Sanford, Mich. / Sanford Meridian [Lake Superior State]) and Tayla Dillard (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Kalamazoo Central [Grand Valley State]), and guard/forward Rayven McQueen (Grand Blanc, Mich. [Detroit Mercy]) provide additional collegiate experience.  

The incoming freshman class features three guards, Averie Zinn (Genesee, Mich.), Katie Roehm (Saline, Mich.) and Olivia Miller (Avon Lake, Mich.). 

WSU will be looking to replace the production of several key departures, including First Team All-GLIAC selections Gabi Lutchka and Taylor Thompson, who each averaged 15.3 points per game last season.  The Warriors also graduated Mackenzie Miller, Jaci Tubergen and Karrington Gordon. 

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
Following the season-opening CCA Tip-Off Classic, Wayne State will play four consecutive road games against GMAC rivals Findlay (Nov. 13), Northwood (Nov. 15), Hillsdale (Nov. 18) and Cedarville (Nov. 21).  The Warriors will host McKendree from the GLVC on Nov. 25 for their lone non-conference home game before December. 

GLIAC play begins at home against two-time defending national champion Grand Valley State on Dec. 3, followed by Purdue Northwest on Dec. 5.  WSU will also welcome Gannon on Dec. 12, before closing its non-conference schedule at the Saint Pete Invitational in St. Petersburg, Fla., against Truman State (Dec. 18) and West Texas A&M (Dec. 19). 

The Warriors open the new year with four consecutive road games against Parkside (Jan. 2), Roosevelt (Jan. 4), Northern Michigan (Jan. 9) and Michigan Tech (Jan. 10).  WSU then returns home to host Ferris State (Jan. 16) and Davenport (Jan. 18), before heading back on the road for games at Saginaw Valley State (Jan. 23), Lake Superior State (Jan. 25), Purdue Northwest (Jan. 30) and Grand Valley State (Feb. 1). 

Wayne State will play six consecutive home games in February, hosting Roosevelt (Feb. 6), Parkside (Feb. 8), Lake Superior State (Feb. 13), Saginaw Valley State (Feb. 15), Michigan Tech (Feb. 20) and Northern Michigan (Feb. 22).   

The Warriors will conclude the regular season on the road at Davenport (Feb. 25) and Ferris State (Feb. 27).  The GLIAC Tournament is scheduled for March 3-7. 

SERIES HISTORY
Wayne State holds a 1-0 advantage in its all-time series against Carson-Newman, earning an 81-61 victory at home on Nov. 22, 2022.  The Warriors have never faced Union (Tenn.). 

Scouting the Lady Eagles:  Carson-Newman finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-11 overall record and a 15-7 mark in South Atlantic Conference (SAC) play, advancing to the SAC Tournament championship game before falling to Coker.  The Lady Eagles continued their postseason run by winning the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional and advancing to the Elite Eight, where they fell 96-48 to Grand Valley State. 

Scouting the Bulldogs:  Union (Tenn.) finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-10 overall record and a 16-6 mark in Gulf South Conference (GSC) play, capturing the league championship.  The Bulldogs also advanced to the NCAA Division II South Regional, where they fell to Eckerd in the semifinals.  Sean Blackburn takes over as head coach after serving as an assistant coach for five seasons.  He succeeds Mark Campbell, who retired after 27 seasons at the helm of the Bulldogs.

GLIAC PRESEASON POLL
1. Grand Valley State, 100 (10)
2. Northern Michigan, 84
3. Parkside, 76 (1)
4. Ferris State, 75
5. Wayne State, 68 
6. Roosevelt, 53
7. Michigan Tech, 49 
8. Davenport, 31 
9. Lake Superior State, 29 
10. Saginaw Valley State, 24
11. Purdue Northwest, 16

LAST GAME RECAP
WSU's 2025-26 season came to a close with a 90-70 loss at top-seeded Grand Valley State in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Round of 32 on March 14.  The Warriors held a 40-36 advantage late in the first half before the Lakers closed the period with 11 of the final 13 points to take a 47-40 lead into halftime.  Grand Valley State maintained its advantage throughout the second half to advance. 

Gabi Lutchka led Wayne State with 19 points and six rebounds, while McKenna Ferguson added 16 points and a game-high five steals.  Taylor Thompson finished with 14 points and six rebounds, and Karrington Gordon dished out five assists.  Lutchka was named to the Midwest Region All-Tournament Team following the conclusion of the tournament. 

The Warriors finished the season 24-8, extending their streak of winning seasons to seven and advancing to the NCAA Round of 32 for the second consecutive year. 

FOLLOWING THE WARRIORS
All Wayne State women's basketball home games and GLIAC contests will be available on FloCollege (FloHoops.com) as well as the non-conference match-ups at the GMAC opponents and this weekend's tip-off classic.  Free audio coverage of road GLIAC games will be provided by Kevin Brechmacher on the Warrior Sports Network.  Home broadcasts will feature various announcers, with Tony Ortiz handling the sideline reporting for most games.  To listen, click the audio link on the women's basketball schedule page at WSUAthletics.com.