Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – The Midwest Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament heads to a familiar place this weekend (February 27-28) as Ripon College is the site of the 2026 league tournament, the Red Hawks’ eighth consecutive season hosting the event.
18th-ranked and top seeded Ripon takes on fourth-seeded Cornell College in the first semifinal on Friday night at 5pm from Weiske Gymnasium. Second-seeded Lawrence University plays third-seeded Knox College in the second semifinal at 7pm.
Ripon secured hosting duties after winning its MWC-record eighth consecutive conference title. The Red Hawks are 23-2 overall this season and became the first Midwest Conference women’s basketball team to go undefeated in league play. Winners of 18 consecutive games, Ripon is looking for its third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.
Lawrence University (20-5, 13-3 MWC) enters the MWC Tournament as the second seed for the second consecutive season. 2026 marks the third consecutive postseason berth for the Vikings, who are searching for their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1999.
Knox College (13-12, 11-5) is back in the postseason after a one-year hiatus. Making its fifth MWC Tournament appearance in the last six seasons, the Prairie Fire can qualify for its second NCAA Tournament in the last four seasons with two wins this weekend. Knox’s last MWC Tournament title came in Ripon during the 2022-23 season.
Cornell College (15-9, 9-7) enters the MWC Tournament as the fourth seed for the second season in a row. The Rams have qualified for the postseason three times in the last four seasons. Cornell is looking for its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2018, also won on Ripon’s home floor.
Ripon defeated Cornell twice during the regular season, while Lawrence also swept Knox.
For the latest updates on the tournament, visit the
2026 MWC Women’s Basketball Tournament page.
2026 MWC Women's Basketball Tournament Schedule
Friday, February 27
Semi-Final #1 - 5:00 PM -- No. 1 Ripon vs. No. 4 Cornell
Semi-Final #2 - 7:00 PM -- No. 2 Lawrence vs. No. 3 Knox
Saturday, February 28 - Tournament Championship Game -- 3:00 PM
Winner of Semi-Final #1 vs. Winner of Semi-Final #2