Gonzaga Women's Basketball Earns NCAA Tournament Bid

Bulldogs secure automatic bid after winning WCC championship

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:06pm

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The Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball team has earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament after defeating Oregon State to win the West Coast Conference (WCC) championship. This will be Gonzaga's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years under head coach Lisa Fortier. The young Bulldogs squad, featuring just one senior in the regular rotation, gelled at the right time and will now await their tournament seeding and opponent, which will be announced on Selection Sunday.

Why it matters

Gonzaga's return to the NCAA Tournament is a significant accomplishment for the program, which missed the tournament last year after losing in the WCC semifinals. This year's team, led by a mix of underclassmen, has shown growth and resilience, and the tournament experience will be invaluable as the Bulldogs prepare to transition to the Pac-12 conference next season.

The details

The Bulldogs defeated Oregon State 67-64 in the WCC championship game on Tuesday to secure the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga finished the regular season 24-9 overall and 13-5 in WCC play, good for second place in the conference. The team is led by a young core that includes just one senior, Ines Bettencourt, in the regular rotation. Sophomores Allie Turner and Teryn Gardner, as well as freshmen Jaiden Haile, Julia Wilson, and Paige Lofing, have all played key roles for the Bulldogs this season.

  • Gonzaga defeated Oregon State 67-64 on March 12, 2026 to win the WCC championship.
  • The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Selection Show will air on ESPN on March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM PT.

The players

Lisa Fortier

The head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball team, who has led the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances in the last six seasons.

Ines Bettencourt

The lone senior in Gonzaga's regular rotation, providing veteran leadership for the young Bulldogs squad.

Allie Turner

A sophomore guard who has been a key contributor for Gonzaga this season.

Teryn Gardner

A sophomore forward who has played a significant role for the Bulldogs.

Jaiden Haile

A freshman guard who has been a part of Gonzaga's regular rotation.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of trying to figure things out early. A lot of teams are doing that, it's kind of the way of the world right now. But I think we've been able to pass on the cultural pieces.”

— Lisa Fortier, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

Gonzaga will learn their NCAA Tournament seeding and opponent during the Selection Show on ESPN on March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM PT.

The takeaway

Gonzaga's return to the NCAA Tournament is a testament to the program's resilience and the development of its young core. Despite the team's inexperience, the Bulldogs have shown the ability to come together and compete at a high level, positioning the program for continued success as it transitions to the Pac-12 conference next season.