Denison Captures 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Title

SALEM, VA -- In the final round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament, Denison (30-2) collected a 55-41 win over Scranton (32-1) to capture the program’s first-ever national title.
 
The Big Red, who handed the Lady Royals their first loss of the 2025-26 season, are the second women’s basketball team in the history of the North Coast Athletic Conference to earn an NCAA title. DePauw earned the 2013 national title.
 
DENISON (30-2) 55, SCRANTON (32-1) 41
  • Denison battled in a tightly contested opening quarter, using strong rebounding and interior defense to set the tone early. Baskets from sophomore post Anelly Mad-toingué (Wellesley, MA/Dana Hall), junior guard Ada Taute (Chicago, IL/St. Ignatius College Prep), and junior guard/forward Adelyn Moore (Caro, MI/Caro) helped the Big Red build a narrow edge, while junior forward Morgan Kress (Westlake, OH/Westlake) and Mad-toingué controlled the glass and protected the rim. Despite several forced turnovers and back-and-forth play, Denison held a 11-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
  • In a low-scoring second quarter, the Big Red leaned on its defense and limited Scranton’s opportunities while controlling the glass. Buckets from junior guard Abby Cooch (Clifton, VA/Bishop Ireton), first-year guard Molly Dorighi (Englewood, CO/Cherry Creek), and junior guard Violet Mitchell (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove North) helped Denison slowly extend its lead, while Mad-toingué and Kress anchored the paint with key rebounds and rim protection. Despite cold shooting on both sides, Denison maintained control and carried a 19-11 advantage into halftime.
  • Denison found itself in a back-and-forth battle in the third quarter, trading baskets with Scranton as the lead changed hands multiple times. Taute led the charge offensively with key baskets and a three-point play, while Cooch and Moore added timely scores to keep the Big Red within striking distance. Despite strong defensive efforts from Mad-toingué and Kress, Scranton used a late push to edge in front, sending Denison into the fourth quarter trailing 34-33.
  • Denison erased an early fourth-quarter deficit and took control with a decisive run midway through the period. After Scranton pushed ahead 39-36, Cooch answered with back-to-back jumpers to tie the game, and the Big Red surged in front for good behind baskets from Taute and Mad-toingué to build a 46-39 advantage. From there, Denison’s defense and rebounding took over, holding Scranton to just two late field goals while Cooch and Mad-toingué combined for key scores down the stretch to secure the 55-41 national championship victory.
  • Cooch, who was named the NCAA tournament MVP, paced the offense with 18 points, hitting four three-pointers and adding nine rebounds and four assists. Taute, who was named to the all-tournament team, scored 15 points on 6-of-21 shooting, pulled down 10 rebounds, and contributed one steal. Mad-toingué anchored the defense with 16 rebounds, one steal, and three blocks while scoring eight points. Kress added seven rebounds, three blocks, and a steal in just nine minutes, and Mitchell chipped in six points, three rebounds, and three assists. Moore grabbed three rebounds, dished two assists, and scored four points, while first-year guard Molly Dorighi (Englewood, CO/Cherry Creek) had four rebounds, one assist, and two points.
  • Denison improves to 8-7 (.533) on the national stage.

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