The Randall University Women's Basketball team opened their 2025–26 season on the road Thursday night in an exhibition matchup against NCAA Division II opponent Oklahoma Panhandle State. Despite falling 68–54, the Lady Saints showed plenty of grit and potential in their first outing under seasoned Head Coach Michelle Garcia, who has retooled this year's roster with several new faces that already seem to be meshing well together.
The Lady Saints came out strong, taking a 15–13 lead after the first quarter, displaying confidence and poise early. Though the Aggies found their rhythm in the second half, Randall battled throughout and finished strong with an 18-point fourth quarter — a sign that this young team is beginning to find its identity.
Leading the charge was Alex Collins, who poured in 24 points, going 6-of-20 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line while grabbing five rebounds and tallying four steals. Tristyn Kirkes added an efficient 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, providing a huge spark offensively. Nailiyah McLaurin was a force inside, recording eight rebounds and six points, while Chrissa Gomez contributed across the board with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The Lady Saints held their own on the glass with 39 total rebounds, while OPSU was only able to pull down 37. Their defensive effort and energy on the boards were bright spots that Coach Garcia and her staff can build on moving forward.
With Coach Garcia's leadership and a talented, motivated roster, Randall looks primed for an exciting season ahead. The Lady Saints will continue to build on this strong foundation as they prepare for their next contests, where they'll look to turn promise into wins and establish themselves as contenders in the NCCAA DII landscape.