GCU Women’s Basketball Makes Historic NCAA Tournament Debut: Opponent Revealed!

The GCU women’s basketball team will make its NCAA Tournament debut on March 21, hoping to extend its impressive win streak to 31 games. The Lopes achieved this milestone by defeating UT Arlington 65-62, clinching the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament championship.

As the nation’s longest active win streak holder, GCU enters the tournament with a 32-2 record, boasting an undefeated 16-0 in conference play. They’ve secured a No. 13 seed in the Spokane region, facing formidable opponents in the opening round.

In their first-round matchup, the Lopes will challenge No. 4 seed Baylor in Waco, Texas. Baylor, with a storied history that includes three national championships, finished the season with a 27-7 record and a 15-3 mark in the Big 12 Conference. They are contending in their 24th consecutive NCAA Tournament, a streak that would likely be extended had the 2022 tournament not been canceled due to the pandemic.

Baylor finished the regular season ranked second in the Big 12 and has shown a potent offensive arsenal, averaging 78 points per game while maintaining solid defensive numbers, allowing just 60 points per game.

Should GCU win, they’ll advance to face either No. 5 seed Ole Miss or No. 12 seed Ball State in the Round of 32. The tournament kicks off with the First Four on Wednesday, culminating in the crowning of a new national champion on April 6 in Tampa, Florida.

Phoenix, the site of significant sporting events, is home to various professional teams, including the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. The city also boasts a rich sports culture, hosting college football’s Fiesta Bowl and the WM Phoenix Open, among numerous other events throughout the year.