NEW ORLEANS – The LSU New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team will officially open their 2026-27 campaign on Monday night when they face the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be carried on SEC Network+. They will follow with a trip to Tuscaloosa to face the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
 
The Privateers have an almost entirely brand new roster under fourth year head coach, Trelanne Powell. The one returner is Mackenzie Joseph who was unable to play last season due to injury. LSU New Orleans has 13 total newcomers as part of their 14-player roster.
 
Three of those newcomers will be playing their first year of college basketball this season in Gianna Ericksen, Isabella Robbins and Rhian Comery. Ericksen prepped at Northlake Christian and Mandeville HS and earned First Team All-District honors. Robbins earned Newcomer of the Year honors at Houston Christian HS. Comery was named District Co-MVP at Prairieville HS last season.
 
The Privateers also have 10 newcomers via prior schools (nine JUCO and one D-I transfer). The lone D-I transfer is Kehinde Obasuyi who played in 34 games at her previous school, Western Carolina.
 
Gabby Edo comes in as a prolific shot blocker, which was displayed last year at Temple College. Edo was second in the NJCAA last season in total blocks with 83 in 2025-26. Edo also averaged 2.0 blocks per game in high school.
 
Tajenae Gooden was a do-it-all player at McLennan JC, ranking top three on the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Gooden earned Freshman of the Year honors at McLennan.
 
The Privateers early season schedule is filled with strong opponents. They open the season with six consecutive road games, the first three of those against SEC opponents in Arkansas, Alabama and Texas A&M. LSU New Orleans will not be at home until Nov. 24 when they take on West Alabama.
 
The Privateers are 0-9 all-time against Arkansas, with the last meeting coming in 2019. LSU New Orleans is 1-4 all-time against Alabama. The only win in the series came back in 1990.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Arkansas is under the guidance of Kelsi Musick, who is in her second season in Fayetteville. Last year, the Razorbacks went 12-20, but they will also have a squad of mostly newcomers with 12 in all. That includes Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year, Kyiah Prestridge and the top ranked recruit in the state of Arkansas, Whitley Rogers. Arkansas beat Tulsa 106-89 and lost 90-82 in overtime to TCU in a pair of scrimmages.
 
Alabama won a pair of exhibition games against Alabama-Huntsville (105-62) and Mississippi Christian (88-40) in their final tune-ups before the regular season. The Crimson Tide will play Queens College in their season opener on Monday. Pauline Love returns to Alabama as the head coach after she was an assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Crimson Tide in 2024-25. Love was previously at Oklahoma as Associate Head Coach last season.
 
SEASON TICKETS
To purchase tickets for the 2026-27 season, click here.
 
ABOUT LSU NEW ORLEANS
In July of 2026 the University of New Orleans rejoined the LSU system and rebranded to "LSU New Orleans" bringing together two powerful brands - the purple and gold of LSU with the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans. The transition marks a return to the LSU family for the University - a place it called home from 1958-2011. Athletic teams will remain the Privateers and continue to compete in the Southland Conference.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersWBB on Twitter/X, @PrivateersWBB on Instagram, and like /PrivateersWBB on Facebook.