By: Joseph Hovey
KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State women's basketball will tip off the
Tianni Kelly era on Nov. 2 versus Shorter, the program announced with the release of its 2026-2027 non-conference schedule on Thursday.
KSU plays four more November home games with matchups versus Clayton State (Nov. 4), South Alabama (Nov. 15), Florida A&M (Nov. 25) and Middle Georgia State (Nov. 28).
The Owls' non-conference schedule also includes marquee power conference road games at Georgia on Nov. 11 and Clemson on Dec. 28.
Kelly's first road trip at the helm comes Nov. 7 at Florida Atlantic. Following its trip to UGA and home tilt with South Alabama, KSU travels to East Tennessee State for a Nov. 21 contest.
The Owls will become road warriors in December as they finish their non-conference slate with six straight road games.
Trips to Charlotte (Dec. 2) and Tennessee Tech (Dec. 6) begin the month, followed by outings at North Carolina A&T (Dec. 12) and USC Upstate (Dec. 16). KSU closes non-conference play at Western Carolina and Clemson, Dec. 19 and 28, respectively.
The Owls open their Conference USA schedule at WKU on Jan. 2.
With 14 non-conference games and 18 in CUSA play, KSU's 2026-27 campaign includes 14 home games and 18 on the road. Eight games fall in November, while six come in December.
Home games versus Shorter, Clayton State and Middle Georgia State, along with a trip to Athens to face the Lady Bulldogs, give the Owls four in-state matchups in non-conference play.
KSU's non-conference schedule features teams from eight different conferences, including three from the SoCon, two from the American, and an opponent each from the ACC, SEC, Big South, CAA, Sun Belt and SWAC.
The Owls face two 2026 NCAA Tournament teams in non-conference play. Both Georgia and Clemson earned at-large bids a season ago, with the Lady Bulldogs a No. 7 seed and the Tigers a No. 8 seed.
Six of 14 non-conference games are return matchups from 2025-26. KSU went 4-2 in last season's games versus Shorter, FAU, South Alabama, ETSU, Tennessee Tech and USC Upstate.
Live stream details for each non-conference game will be made available at a later date.
Kelly's first Owl roster is headlined by four key returners from the 2025-26 squad.
Guard
Shania Nichols returns for her senior season at KSU after averaging 9.2 points, shooting 36.6% from three and setting a program record for single-season free-throw percentage at 89.1% in 2025-26. Twenty-four-game starter
Kaelyn Flowers and fellow junior
Emaya Lewis also return, as does sophomore guard
Madyson Elliott.
The Owls' offseason signing class featured four Division I transfers: forwards
Tracey Bershers (Minnesota),
Kayla Sullivan (Valparaiso) and
Toni Warren (Wofford), as well as guard
Riley Talbert (UAB).
A pair of junior college transfers join the Owls, with forward
Lamarah Cleaves arriving from Jones College (Ellisville, Mississippi) and guard
Arissa Jenkins from Shelton State (Tuscaloosa, Alabama).
KSU fans can secure their spot at VyStar Arena now! Buy season tickets here. Season ticket renewals are available through Sept. 25.
2026-27 Kennesaw State Women's Basketball Schedule
Nov. 2 vs. Shorter
Nov. 4 vs. Clayton State
Nov. 7 at Florida Atlantic
Nov. 11 at Georgia
Nov. 15 vs. South Alabama
Nov. 21 at East Tennessee State
Nov. 24 vs. Florida A&M
Nov. 28 vs. Middle Georgia State
Dec. 2 at Charlotte
Dec. 6 at Tennessee Tech
Dec. 12 at North Carolina A&T
Dec. 16 at USC Upstate
Dec. 19 at Western Carolina
Dec. 28 at Clemson
Jan. 2 at Western Kentucky
Jan. 4 at Middle Tennessee
Jan. 10 at Jacksonville State
Jan. 14 vs. Sam Houston
Jan. 16 vs. New Mexico State
Jan. 21 at Delaware
Jan. 23 at Liberty
Jan. 28 vs. Missouri State
Jan. 30 vs. Florida International
Feb. 6 vs. Jacksonville State
Feb. 11 at New Mexico State
Feb. 13 at Sam Houston
Feb. 18 vs. Liberty
Feb. 20 vs. Delaware
Feb. 25 at Missouri State
Feb. 27 at Florida International
March 4 vs. Middle Tennessee
March 6 vs. Western Kentucky
March 9-13 Conference USA Women's Basketball Championship
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax-deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
