Game 1 at Buffalo: Monday, Nov. 2 @ 6 p.m.  
Location: Buffalo, N.Y. 
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State women's basketball team (0-0, SBC 0-0) opens the 2026-27 season under first-year head coach Marcilina Grayer on the road against the Buffalo Bulls (0-0, MAC 0-0) for the first round of the SBC-MAC Challenge. The Panthers are set to take the court on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at Buffalo. 

SERIES HISTORY 
This marks the first meeting between Georgia State and Buffalo in program history. 

BETWEEN THE LINES 
Buffalo returns six players alongside nine roster additions. The Bulls return for 62% of the team's scoring, 55% of its rebounding, and 55% of total playing time. Boasting 13 underclassmen, the Bulls stand as the youngest squad in the MAC and one of the youngest in all of Division I women's basketball. The Bulls are led by second-year head coach Kristen Sharkey, who holds a 3-27 career record at Buffalo. 

RETURNEE PRODUCTION 
Georgia State returns two players from last season, led by sophomore guard Grace Lanier and junior Frankee Payne. Lanier saw action in 31 games with 13 starts during her 2025–26 campaign, averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Her standout sophomore season was highlighted by a career-high 23-point performance at App State and a dominant 10-steal outing at FIU. Payne, who earned Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List honors and Dean's List recognition in 2025–26, returns for her junior year after sitting out last season. 

SBC-MAC CHALLENGE 
Returning for its fourth season in 2026-27, the SBC-MAC Challenge continues the men's and women's basketball scheduling alliance between the Sun Belt and Mid-American conferences. Georgia State returns to action this year after sitting out last season's challenge due to an uneven team count between the leagues. The second set of SBC-MAC Challenge games will tip-off on February 6, 2027 as Georgia State will host a MAC school. The Panthers are 2-2 overall in the challenge's history, staying undefeated at home court with a 2-0 record while searching for their first road victory after going 0-2 at MAC schools. 

SO INTERNATIONAL 
The 2026-27 roster is rich with international flair. Three of the 13 players on the 2026–27 squad hail from overseas, bringing valuable global experience to the court. Senior guard Ana Oliveira Dias (São Paulo, Brazil), junior guard Kenaya Klintman (Malmo, Sweden), and freshman guard Aikaterini Yfantopoulou (Athens, Greece). 

For the latest updates on the season, including ticket information and game details, please visit www.georgiastatesports.com and follow us on social media @gsu_wbasketball.