Minnesota West Wins NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Title

Top-seeded Lady Jays defeat No. 2 Anoka-Ramsey 51-41 in championship game

Mar. 15, 2026 at 5:29am

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The No. 1 seed Minnesota West Community & Tech Lady Jays defeated the No. 2 seed Anoka-Ramsey Community College Golden Rams 51-41 to win the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship. Minnesota West limited Anoka-Ramsey to just 23% shooting and owned a 45-40 rebounding advantage to overcome 27 turnovers.

Why it matters

This championship victory for Minnesota West caps off a successful season for the Lady Jays program, which entered the tournament as the top overall seed. The win also marks the first national title for the school in women's basketball.

The details

Minnesota West was led by Payton Riemers' game-high 24 points off the bench, while tournament MVP Katrina Schutz recorded a double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds. The Lady Jays shot 38% from the field and 70% from the free throw line. Anoka-Ramsey was paced by double-doubles from Tereya McDaniel-Vaughn (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Mariam Alowonle (15 points, 10 rebounds), but the Golden Rams struggled mightily from the floor, shooting just 23% overall and 8% from three-point range.

  • The NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship tournament concluded on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • Minnesota West took a 26-14 lead at halftime before Anoka-Ramsey closed the gap to 5 points in the third quarter, but the Lady Jays pulled away late.

The players

Minnesota West Community & Tech Lady Jays

The No. 1 seed in the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship tournament, hailing from Worthington, Minnesota.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Golden Rams

The No. 2 seed in the tournament, representing Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Payton Riemers

A player for Minnesota West who scored a game-high 24 points off the bench in the championship game.

Katrina Schutz

The tournament MVP for Minnesota West, recording a double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds in the title game.

Tereya McDaniel-Vaughn

A player for Anoka-Ramsey who had a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game.

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The takeaway

Minnesota West's stifling defense and dominant rebounding performance proved to be the difference in the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship, as the Lady Jays overcame their own turnover issues to claim the title over a tough Anoka-Ramsey squad.