LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama women's basketball team opens the 2011-2012 season on Saturday, Nov. 12 as the Tigers take part in the Delta State hosted-Lloyd Clark Classic. UWA opens the two-day tournament against Florida Southern of the Sunshine State Conference at 4 p.m.

UWA was tabbed fifth in the GSC Preseason Poll as selected by the conference head coaches. The Tigers return three players from a season ago in Keiara Middleton, Danielle Cole and Alexis Hewitt and look to replace the program's first NCAA All-American in Mystee Dale.

Among the three returners from last season are 12 newcomers. A pair of JUCO transfers Lanita Futrell and Nikkia Jordan headlines the top newcomers list for the GSC. Futrell is a transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss., while Jordan transferred in from Northwest Shoals Community College.

“We are a young and inexperienced team,” Roden said about his 2011-12 edition. “It is up to us to prove how good we are this season.”

Jordan echoes her coach's comments, “I think we've come together as a team pretty well, but we still have a ways to go. It's a work in progress since we are still at the beginning of the season.”

The Red and White look to continue its success from last season's squad that went 18-9, under head coach Craig Roden, and advanced to the Gulf South Conference Tournament for the sixth straight season.

“We expect the same success we had last season,” said Middleton, who is a senior from Birmingham, Ala. “The only thing different is we hope to go further this season.”

UWA concludes the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 13 against Southern Arkansas. Tip at Walters Sillers Coliseum is scheduled for 4 p.m.