GRANVILLE, OH -- No. 4 seeded DePauw (19-9) captured its third-consecutive and league-leading 10th overall NCAC Women's Basketball Tournament title after defeating No. 3 seeded John Carroll (24-4), 64-59, on Saturday afternoon at Denison University's Livingston Gymnasium in Granville, Ohio.
As tournament champions, the Tigers have earned the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament and will find out who and where they will play on Monday, March 2, at 2:30 p.m. during the NCAA selection show. The NCAA tournament will open with first and second round games next weekend on campus sites.
#4 DEPAUW (19-9) 64, #3 JOHN CARROLL (24-4) 59
- After John Carroll built an early 16-6 lead late in the first quarter, the Tigers settled in and closed the gap to four by the end of the period. DePauw carried that momentum into the second quarter, using a strong stretch from senior guard Riley Mont (Aurora, IL/West Aurora) and timely baskets from junior guard Tori Allen (Kouts, IN/Andrean) and senior forward Diana Burgher (Georgetown, IN/North Harrison) to chip away at the deficit. The Tigers eventually moved in front midway through the quarter and took a 31-26 lead into halftime after outscoring the Blue Streaks 19-10 in the period.
- In the second half, DePauw continued to control the game and pushed its lead to nine points by the end of the third quarter. DePauw junior guard Campbell Schrank (Winnebago, IL/Winnebago) provided a spark with a pair of three-pointers in the period, while Burgher and first-year forward Bren Hill (Vincennes, IN/South Knox) added key baskets to help the Tigers maintain their advantage. John Carroll made a late push in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 57-54 and later to 62-59 in the closing seconds behind senior guard/forward Ava Ryncarz (Aurora, OH/Aurora) and senior guard/forward Carly Perusek (Willoughby Hills, OH/Beaumont). Each time the Blue Streaks threatened, however, DePauw responded. Mont hit a key jumper with 58 seconds to play, and Allen converted late free throws to help seal the win.
- For DePauw, Mont led the way with 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting, while Allen added 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and six made free throws. Schrank scored 12 points in 14 minutes off the bench and knocked down both of her three-point attempts, while Burgher finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Junior forward Olivia Hart (Murfreesboro, TN/Central Magnet) added four points and a game-high 10 rebounds as the Tigers held a 39-29 edge on the glass.
- For John Carroll, Ryncarz led the Blue Streaks with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four three-pointers. Senior guard Graci Semptimphelter (Franklin, TN/Battle Ground Academy) followed with 10 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Perusek added nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Junior guard Brooke Laub (Avon, OH/Avon) also scored nine points with three three-pointers in the loss.
2026 NCAC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Olivia Hart, DePauw
Carly Perusek, John Carroll
Graci Semptimphelter, John Carroll
Ada Taute, Denison
Kendall Dieringer, Ohio Wesleyan
Tournament MVP (Nan Nichols Award) – Riley Mont, DePauw