SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Lees-McRae College capture their first Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship title, defeating Chowan University on Sunday at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
The Bobcats opened up a 16-9 lead in the first quarter, but Chowan scored the final five points to cut the Lees-McRae lead to 16-14 after 10 minutes. The Hawks scored the first basket of the second quarter to even the tally before Lees-McRae scored five straight points. The team traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter as Lees-McRae led 27-24 at the half.
The teams continued to trade points before Nyeisha Savage converted consecutive layups that vaulted Chowan to a 34-33 lead. The advantage was short-lived as Sandra Mason responded with a triple on the next trip for Lees-McRae. Chowan scored the final three points of the quarter, but Lees-McRae led 42-41 going to the final period.
The Hawks went on an 8-1 run to take a 54-50 lead four minutes into the quarter before Lees-McRae scored five straight to regain the lead. The Hawks regained a 60-57 lead before Lees-McRae scored the final 10 points to take the contest 67-60.
Nadiya Hairston led Lees-McRae with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Savage led Chowan with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Lees-McRae wins their first ever Conference Carolinas tournament title.
Lees-McRae earns the automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. The selection show will be on NCAA.com at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship
All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP: Nadiya Hariston, Lees-McRae
Sydney Gueterman, Lees-McRae
Kirsten Watt, Lees-McRae
Desiree Askew, Chowan
Nyeisha Savage, Chowan
Kiara Croskey, Francis Marion
Lauren Mingo, Barton
TOURNAMENT PAGE | BRACKET
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. 5 Lees-McRae def. No. 6 Chowan, 67-60
BOX SCORE | LEES-McRAE PRESS CONFERENCE