Women's Basketball to Start 2025-26 Campaign at Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The University of Bridgeport's women's basketball team will officially begin its 2025-26 slate on Saturday afternoon with a non-conference matchup at Roberts Wesleyan University. UB's road opener will start a 26-game schedule that features 12 contests inside the newly updated Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS
UB hasn't played against Roberts Wesleyan since departing the East Coast Conference (ECC) following the 2021-22 campaign. In fact, the Purple Knights' final game as part of the ECC came against the Redhawks on Feb. 26, 2022. UB earned a 66-65 OT win in that contest.

Last year, Roberts Wesleyan finished with a 2-22 overall record with their wins coming against D'Youville and STAC. The Redhawks' top returning scorer from last season is Erin Frazier who ranked fourth on the squad in points per game (5.9).

MORE UB NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
In addition to the trip to Rochester, the Purple Knights will play two more ECC foes this season. UB will host Queens for its home opener on Nov. 22 before welcoming STAC to Hubbell Gym on Feb. 3.

Bridgeport's three other non-conference contests will be against teams from the NE10. The Purple Knights will be on the road for all of them, traveling to SNHU (Nov. 20), Pace (Dec. 16) and SCSU (Dec. 20) before the calendar hits 2026.

UB'S CACC SLATE
The Purple and White will play their conference opener at home against Wilmington on Nov. 25. UB earned a home win over the Wildcats in their lone matchup last season.

The tilt against Wilmington begins a 20-game CACC schedule that features home and away games against every team in the league.

WHO'S BACK FOR THE PURPLE KNIGHTS?
Bridgeport brings back six players from a year ago, including senior captain Niyah Whitten. Whitten has been a mainstay in UB's lineup during her three years on campus. She has started 71 of her 77 game appearances as a Purple Knight.

Whitten ranked second on Bridgeport in points per game (7.2) last year.

Rounding out UB's returners are Mireya Johnson, Zahkiyyah Frazier, Savannah Prescott, India Lee, and Adalise Caraballo, each of whom saw meaningful action last year.

WHO ARE THE NEWCOMERS?
UB welcomes a dynamic group of nine newcomers to the 2025–26 women's basketball roster, bringing both depth and diversity to the program. The incoming class spans four countries—Italy, Sweden, France, and Spain—as well as four states, including Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and California.

This group arrives with a wide range of experience, featuring two graduate students, a senior, three juniors, two sophomores, and a red-shirt freshman. Amongst the additions are a pair of Division I transfers: Nicole Benini from Seattle University and Karolina Andersson from the University of New Hampshire.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING (Quotes)

UB Head Coach, Jimmy Howard – 3rd Season

"I am so excited to kick off a new season with this team. We have a group of young talented players who I believe have the opportunity to not only change the culture but get this program back on track to winning."

Karolina Andersson – Senior Captain

"I'm really looking forward to this season; we got a great group that is ready to compete and to show what we are all about. This team has something to prove, and we are embracing that challenge. Since the first day I arrived here at UB it has felt like home. Our chemistry has really grown this preseason; we are starting to click and it's exciting to see it all come together."

Niyah Whitten – Senior Captain

"This season feels different…the energy, the chemistry, the focus. I'm excited to see what we can accomplish together because I know we're building something special."

FOLLOW ALONG
For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), X (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).