BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — No. 6 UTSA defeated top-seeded Rice, 54–40, on Saturday night at Legacy Arena at the BJCC to win the 2026 American Women’s Basketball Championship.
 
UTSA (18–15) earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with the win. The selection show will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 15, on ESPN.
 
The Owls ended the first quarter on a 7–0 run, capped by a Victoria Flores buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Rice a two-point lead. Hailey Adams came down with seven rebounds in the opening frame. UTSA opened the second quarter on an 8–0 run before Louann Battiston ended the surge with a 3-pointer from the corner.
 
The Roadrunners embarked on a 10–0 run in the third quarter, with Idara Udo scoring five of the points, to take a double-digit lead. UTSA pushed its lead to as many as 18 points as the Roadrunners put the game away.
 
Over the course of four games, the Roadrunners’ defense was stellar, allowing just 46.5 points per game.
 
Cheyenne Rowe and Ereauna Hardaway led UTSA with 13 points each. Rowe was named the championship’s Most Outstanding Player.
 
Hailey Adams recorded a double-double for the Owls, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
 

All-Tournament Team
Cheyenne Rowe, UTSA (MOP)
Ereauna Hardaway, UTSA
Idara Udo, UTSA
Hailey Adams, Rice
Victoria Flores, Rice