Women’s Hoops Opens Season at the South Region Crossover Classic

LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The West Alabama women's basketball team kicks off the start to the 2021-22 season at the South Region Crossover Classic hosted by the University of Tampa at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center in Tampa, Florida.

During the two-day tournament the Tigers will face Tampa Friday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and Florida Tech Saturday, Nov. 13, with a tip-off time at noon.

UWA returns almost its whole roster with nine players from the 2020-21 season and added four new Tigers to the 2021-22 roster under head women's basketball coach Rusty Cram. Cram enters his eighth season as head coach at UWA.

Key returners for the Tigers are Tazsa Garrett-Hammett and Bria Dent, who were named to the All-Gulf South Conference West Division Team for the 2020-21 season.

During preseason play, UWA defeated University of New Orleans 79-59 in a scrimmage game. Jala Williams led the Tigers with 18 points. The junior guard made 5-of-8 field goal attempts and converted 7-for-9 from the free throw line. Garrett-Hammett added 16 points. The senior forward shot a .571 field goal percentage and went 8-for-9 in free throws, while collecting five rebounds. Naelyn Rios chipped in 12 points.

The Tigers closed out the 2020-21 season with a 10-8 overall record and went 9-7 in GSC play. UWA made it to quarterfinals of the GSC Championship Tournament, but got knocked out 70-61 by Lee University.

Tampa went 7-0 in the 2021 spring season. Jessee Tom returns for his 20th season as the women's basketball coach at the University of Tampa. The Spartans finished with a 24-5 overall record in 2019-20 and finished 19-1 in SSC play.

Florida Tech finished with a 3-6 overall record and didn't play any conference games in the 2021-22 season. Prior to COVID-19, in the 2019-21 season, the Panthers went 13-16 overall and finished 9-11 in their conference. John Reynolds returns for his 35th season as the women's basketball head coach.

To stay connected with the UWA women's soccer team, follow @UWA_womenssoccer on Instagram and @UWAWomensSoccer on Twitter. General athletic news, along with game recaps and box scores, can be found at uwaathletics.com. Additional updates and information are available @UWAAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Bria Dent: G/F; 5' 9"; Junior

#1 Tazsa Garrett-Hammett: G/F; 5' 11"; Senior

#10 Jala Williams: G; 5' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Bria Dent
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G/F

#1 Tazsa Garrett-Hammett
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G/F

#10 Jala Williams
: 5' 5"; Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#2 Bria Dent

#1 Tazsa Garrett-Hammett

#10 Jala Williams

Players Mentioned

#2 Bria Dent

#1 Tazsa Garrett-Hammett

#10 Jala Williams