INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Three MIAA women’s basketball teams advanced to the 2026 NCAA Division II postseason. Central Missouri, Fort Hays State and Washburn will continue their 2025-26 season into the NCAA Central Region Championship Tournament, hosted March 13-16 in Mankato, Minn.
 
The official 64-team field for the 2025-26 NCAA Division II women’s basketball postseason tournament was announced on Sunday, March 8. Washburn earned the MIAA’s automatic qualifier into the NCAA tournament after winning the 2026 MIAA Women’s Basketball Championship with a 53-44 win over Central Missouri for the tournament title. Central Missouri and Fort Hays State both received at-large bids from the NCAA to advance to the Regional Championship round.
 
Minnesota State (29-2) was named the top seed in the Central Region and will host the eight-team Central Region Championship at the Mavericks’ Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn.
 
Fort Hays State (24-5) claimed the No. 3 seed and will open the first round of the Central Region Championship tournament at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 13, against No. 6 seed Harding (24-6). Central Missouri (25-6) was tabbed the No. 4 seed and will face a very familiar opponent, No. 5 seed Washburn (24-7) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.  
 
Friday’s winners will advance to Saturday’s regional semifinals set for 5 and 7:30 p.m. The Central Region Championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16, in Mankato. To view the purchase tickets, view the official schedule, and find more information on the Central Region Championship hosted in Mankato, Minn., visit MSUMavericks.com.
 
All eight region champions will meet in Pittsburgh, Pa., for the final rounds of the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship, hosted March 24-28 at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. For more information on the 2026 NCAA Division II women’s basketball postseason, visit NCAA.com.