HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team will open the 2021-22 season with an exhibition contest against Division I powerhouse UConn on Sunday, November 7. Opening tip is set for 1 p.m. ET (noon CT) inside Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on the campus of the University of Connecticut.

Ticket information and live coverage options will be announced when available. Face coverings will be required for all individuals inside Gampel Pavilion.

The Tigers previously traveled east to face off with the Huskies in advance of the 2017-18 season. That contest was played at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.

Fort Hays State returns nine players from last year's squad that won the program's fourth MIAA title, finishing the year 22-4 and tying the MIAA record with 20 conference wins. It was the 12th overall conference title for the program. The Tigers also earned the top overall seed in the NCAA DII Central Region tournament, the fourth-straight year the team was picked to play in the tournament and the sixth time over the last seven years.

Four of the returners were All-MIAA selections last season, including All-America selection Jaden Hobbs and CoSIDA Academic All-America selection Whitney Randall. Fort Hays State added five newcomers this season, including three freshmen and a pair of Division I transfers.

Head coach Tony Hobson is entering his 14th season at Fort Hays State in 2021-22 and 30th year overall at the collegiate ranks. He carries a career record of 695-211 and a mark of 282-105 at Fort Hays State.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma enters his 37th season with the Huskies in 2021-22. He has led the Huskies to 11 national championships and 21 Final Fours, accumulating a record of 1,119-144 since taking over in 1985.

The Huskies return 10 players from a year ago, including Naismith Player of the Year Paige Bueckers, who was the first freshman to earn the award for the nation's most outstanding player in its 39-year women's history. The Huskies have added three freshmen and one graduate transfer.