TCNJ Women's Basketball Earns NCAA Tournament Bid

The Lions overcome past conference tournament struggles to reach the Big Dance.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The College of New Jersey women's basketball team has finally broken through after several near-misses, defeating nationally-ranked William Paterson in the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship game to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Why it matters

TCNJ's women's basketball program has been a consistent contender in the NJAC, but had fallen short of the conference title and NCAA Tournament berth in recent years. This year's championship represents a major milestone for the program and a chance to compete on the national stage.

The details

In a hard-fought battle, TCNJ defeated William Paterson, a nationally-ranked opponent, to win the NJAC tournament title and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. This marks the first time the Lions have reached the Big Dance since 2019.

  • The NJAC championship game was played on March 4, 2026.
  • TCNJ last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2019.

The players

TCNJ Women's Basketball Team

The College of New Jersey's women's basketball program, which has been a consistent contender in the NJAC conference.

William Paterson

A nationally-ranked opponent that TCNJ defeated in the NJAC championship game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is such a rewarding moment for our team after coming so close in recent years. We're thrilled to be heading to the NCAA Tournament and can't wait to compete on the national stage.”

— Head Coach Jada Bly, TCNJ Women's Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

TCNJ will find out its first-round opponent and tournament seeding when the NCAA Division III Tournament bracket is announced on Selection Sunday, March 9, 2026.

The takeaway

TCNJ's women's basketball team has finally broken through after several near-misses, earning an NCAA Tournament berth and a chance to compete for a national championship. This represents a major milestone for the program and a testament to their hard work and perseverance.