Mar. 18—VERMILLION, S.D. — The University of South Dakota women’s basketball team will begin play in the 2026 WNIT by hosting the winner of Air Force and Northern Colorado in the second round of the tournament at 1 p.m. Sunday inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
The date and time for the second-round game are subject to change.
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South Dakota received a first-round bye in the 48-team WNIT bracket, setting up a matchup with the winner of a first-round game between Air Force and Northern Colorado. The Falcons and Bears meet at Air Force at 7:30 p.m. Central time on Thursday, March 19.
USD is familiar with both potential opponents, including facing Air Force earlier this season in Vermillion, which was a 75-50 win for the Coyotes.
USD and Air Force have met each of the last two seasons, going 1-1 in those games. South Dakota last faced Northern Colorado in 2023-24, winning that matchup 72-59. The Coyotes have played the Bears 35 times in program history, dating back to the schools’ shared history in the Division II North Central Conference.
The Coyotes received an at-large bid to the WNIT following a 23-9 season, including a 12-4 Summit League record, and a semifinal appearance at the Summit League tournament. This is USD’s seventh WNIT appearance, including winning WNIT Championship in 2016.
