2026 NCAA Division II WBB Central Region Showcase
November 20 @ 1:00 pm - November 21 @ 8:00 pm
2026 NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CENTRAL REGION SHOWCASE HOSTED BY THE ST. JOSEPH SPORTS COMMISSION SET FOR
NOVEMBER 20-21, 2026 – CIVIC ARENA
For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 22, 2026
Brett Esely Contact: 816-233-6688, besely@stjomo.com
St. Joseph continues to be a desired destination for major college and high school events. For the fifth consecutive year, the St. Joseph Sports Commission is proud to host the Division II Women’s Basketball Central Showcase November 20-21 in Civic Arena.
“We are once again privileged to host a premier non-conference, classic style event with seven teams from the Central Region joined by a team from the Great Lakes Valley Conference in which we will host their conference championship tournament beginning in 2027” said Brett Esely, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission. “We relish the opportunity any time we can engage our local universities, MIAA & GLVC partners and attract teams on the national level to play in St. Joseph!”
This year’s field includes four MIAA institutions including MIAA Tournament Semifinalist Missouri Western (15-16), Northwest Missouri State (18-12), Fort Hays State (25-6) who advanced to the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals and Pittsburg State (18-11). Institutions from the Northern Sun Conference include Minnesota State-Moorhead and Wayne State (Neb.). Ouachita Baptist from the Great American Conference will compete in the event for the first time with the field being rounded by Great Lakes Valley Conference institution Rockhurst.
“This event has always attracted a quality field in which our location plays a big role in that as well as the quality of the arena that provides a neutral site, March feel early in the season. We look forward to eight great matchups this coming November!” Esely said.
Ticket information will be released in early fall, in which all presale tickets will be facilitated online and in walk up on gameday at the Civic Arena Box office. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available by contacting the sports commission.
GAME SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 20
1:00 PM – Fort Hays State vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead
3:00 PM – Northwest Missouri State vs. Rockhurst
5:00 PM – Pittsburg State vs. Wayne State (Neb.)
7:00 PM – Missouri Western vs. Ouachita Baptist
Saturday, November 21
12:00 PM – Northwest Missouri State vs. Minnesota State-Moorehead
2:00 PM – Pittsburg State vs. Rockhurst
4:00 PM – Fort Hays State vs. Ouachita Baptist
6:00 PM – Missouri Western vs. Wayne State (Neb.)
The St. Joseph Sports Commission is a division of the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.