WBB: Postseason Wrap
Five WAC teams enjoyed the opportunity to play postseason basketball with an unprecedented four earning WNIT bids...
It’s the middle of May and closer to Indy 500 practice than WACVegas but before we turn that page to 2025-2026 let’s take a look at how postseason play went for our five teams that earned extra basketball this last season.
GCU earned a date with Baylor in Waco after winning the WAC tournament with a record 30 game winning streak. The Lopes handled themselves quite well against a third Big 12 opponent, but fell 73-60 to end their season and WAC tenure. Trinity San Antonio kept GCU in the game with 27 points on an efficient 12-27 shooting while Laura Erikstrup chipped in another 11 points with five rebounds.
Meanwhile, four teams earned bids to the WNIT led by regular-season runner-up Tarleton State. Joining them were ACU, Utah Valley, and UT Arlington.
Tarleton State received a first-round bye before losing a second round game against Lindenwood to close out the program’s history in venerable Wisdom Gym. The Texans were +20 in paint points but it wasn’t enough as a 2-20 3-point shooting day doomed their cause. Miannah Little had 14 points in the loss while Faith Acker added 12 points with seven rebounds.
UT Arlington won their opener against a UIW side playing without former coach Jeff Dow, who moved over to Southeastern Louisiana after his contract was not renewed, by jumping out to a 24-9 lead after a quarter and never looking back. Taliyah Clark and Avery Brittingham combined to score 38 points in the win.
The Lady Mavs then made a quick trip to North Texas and fell 78-67 after cutting a 19 point halftime deficit to five after three quarters. Koi Love finished with 20 points and nine rebounds while Clark and Brittingham each added another 12 points.
ACU, behind the return of Payton Hull, made a run to the Super 16 before falling at Illinois State in a 10 point loss. The Wildcats faced two former Southland Conference foes in Northwestern State and Central Arkansas to open up play, prevailing by more than 20 points in both games.
Erin Woodson led the way in an opening win at home against the Blue Demons with 21 points, Meredith Mayes scored 16 points with seven rebounds, while Hull added 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists. In her final game on the Moody Coliseum floor Bella Earle chipped in 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
At Central Arkansas, Hull led the charge with 28 points while connecting on five 3-pointers while Mayes scared a double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Hull made it back-to-back 20 point games in the loss at Illinois State with another 25 points. Emma Troxell added 15 points while Mayes chipped in another dozen and the pair each had five rebounds.
Utah Valley won their first round game at Air Force, avenging a regular-season loss behind 15 points and six rebounds from Tahlia White. Hallie Nelson added 14 points with 13 rebounds
At Washington State the Wolverines were in it until the end, even leading with a minute left before falling to end UVU’s most successful season as a Division I program. White, Danja Stafford-Collins, and Chaney all were in double-digit scoring with Stafford-Collins grabbing 10 rebounds.
In total WAC teams went 4-4 during the WNIT. Which team uses that as a springboard to a 2026 NCAA Tournament berth? We’ll start to find out in six months as the road to #WACVegas begins anew.