SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The final for the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship final is set as Lees-McRae snuck past Francis Marion University and Chowan University topped Barton College.
No. 5 Lees-McRae def. No. 1 Francis Marion 76-70
Lees-McRae led for nearly 30 minutes of the semifinal matchup, but needed a late run from Nadiya Hairston to seal the victory for the Bobcats. Hairston connected on back-to-back triples before converting a three-point play to turn a 66-62 deficit into a 71-68 lead with two minutes remaining. The Bobcats then closed out the 76-70 victory at the free throw line.
The Bobcats started the contest with an 11-1 run and led 21-15 after the opening 10 minutes. Lees-McRae then led 32-31 at the half. Francis Marion took the lead early in the third quarter before the teams went back-and-forth and Francis Marion led 58-56 after three quarters. The Patriots continued to fight before the late run from Hairston and the Bobcats took the contest.
Hariston led Lees-McRae with 28 points and 11 rebounds while Kristen Watt added 15 points. Kiara Croseky led Francis Marion with 22 points while Terriana Gray added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Lees-McRae advances to the Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship final for the third time. The previously lost in 2003 and 1999.
No. 6 Chowan def. No. 2 Barton 80-60
Following a tie at 11, Chowan scored five of the next seven points to lead 18-13 and held a 23-16 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The Hawks scored the first seven points of the second quarter to open up a 28-18 lead after the 11-0 run. Following a Barton basket, Chowan scored six straight points to take a 34-18 advantage before leading 37-23 at the half.
Chowan extended their lead in the third quarter, taking a 61-40 advantage into the final period. The Hawks extended the lead to 63-40 early in the fourth quarter before taking the contest 80-60.
Yasmine Brown led Chowan with 27 points while Layne Sleight led Barton with 14 points.
Chowan advances to the Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship final for the first time.
The championship game is slated for 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
TOURNAMENT PAGE | BRACKET | LIVE VIDEO | FINAL SITE TICKETS
2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship
First Round – Sunday, March 1 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
No. 10 Emmanuel def. No. 9 King, 70-67
BOX SCORE
No. 11 Ferrum def. No. 8 UNC Pembroke, 74-71
BOX SCORE
No. 7 Young Harris def. No. 12 Mount Olive, 50-48
BOX SCORE
Second Round – Monday, March 2 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
No. 4 Shorter def. No. 10 Emmanuel, 59-40
BOX SCORE
No. 5 Lees-McRae def. No. 11 Ferrum, 60-48
BOX SCORE
No. 6 Chowan def. No. 7 Young Harris, 64-58
BOX SCORE
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 6 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Lees-McRae def. No. 4 Shorter, 72-63
BOX SCORE | LEES-McRAE PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 6 Chowan def. No. 3 Belmont Abbey, 53-50
BOX SCORE | CHOWAN PRESS CONFERENCE
Semifinals – Saturday, March 7 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Lees- McRae def. No. 1 Francis Marion, 76-70
BOX SCORE | LEES-McRAE PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 6 Chowan def. No. 2 Barton, 80-60
BOX SCORE | CHOWAN PRESS CONFERENCE
Final – Sunday, March 8 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 6 Chowan vs. No. 5 Lees-McRae, 4:00 p.m.