No. 22 UMD Women's Basketball Starts 2026-27 Campaign in Mississippi against Arkansas

The No. 22 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs tip off their 2026-27 season this weekend, facing a pair of tests in Mississippi against Arkansas Tech and Harding.

UMD Athletics reported that the team will take on the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns on Friday at 7:30 p.m. CST, followed by a matchup with the Harding Lady Bisons on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. CST. Both games are hosted at Delta State University.

After a run to the Elite Eight for the second time in four seasons, the Bulldogs return to the court with a familiar face at the helm. Brooke Olson, who previously led the Bulldogs to the National Championship Game during the 2022-23 season, has returned to lead the program. Olson joins the team following coaching stints at UW-Stout and the University of Minnesota.

Building on Program Stability

The Bulldogs enter the season with high expectations despite a competitive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The team was selected to finish fifth in the NSIC Preseason Poll and second in the NSIC North Division. UMD Athletics notes that the program’s culture is anchored in connectivity and trust, a philosophy that has defined their recent post-season success.

The roster features a veteran senior class including Lilly Radcliffe, Drew Johnston, Ashley Fritz, Grace Counts, and Lexi Karlen. These players are tasked with setting the benchmark for the squad, focusing on both individual development and team empowerment.

The Arkansas Tech Challenge

The Golden Suns present a formidable opening challenge. Arkansas Tech is coming off a season where they boasted an offensive rating of 103.6, one of the best at the NCAA Division-II level. While the team faces a transition under first-year head coach Daryl Fimple, they retain key contributors such as Shayln Lyle and AbbiGrace Cunningham.

Fimple, who previously won six Arkansas State Championships at North Little Rock High School, inherits a team that finished third in the Great American Conference last year.

Historical context suggests a tight affair. Arkansas Tech currently leads the all-time series against UMD 3-0, though the two programs have not met in 32 years. Their last encounter was a narrow 67-63 Golden Suns victory during the 1994 NAIA National Tournament.

Harding Remains a Regional Powerhouse

On Saturday, the Bulldogs face a Harding Lady Bisons squad that finished last season as the outright Great American Conference champion. Despite a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, Harding remains a regional powerhouse.

The Lady Bisons bring back a lot of players for this upcoming season, UMD Athletics reported, highlighting key returners like First-Team All-GAC selection Josie Williams and elite three-point shooter Maddi Holt. Harding, led by head coach Tim Kirby, is a team that relies on high-volume playmaking, evidenced by Kori Sanders’ 38 minutes per game last season.

This weekend marks the first time in program history that UMD and Harding will face one another. For the Bulldogs, the weekend serves as an immediate barometer of their readiness to compete at the national level.

With a mix of veteran leadership and a younger class eager to push the program to new heights, the team remains focused on the “earn it” mentality that has become a hallmark of their preparation.

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