GREENVILLE, S.C. – Conference Carolinas unveiled the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship bracket after the conclusion of the regular season on Wednesday evening.
Francis Marion University (19-9, 16-4) earned the top seed for the second straight year while Barton College (19-9, 15-5) earned the second seed. Both teams will have a bye to the semifinals on Saturday, March 7. The Patriots won the East Division title and grabbed the top seed with a KPI of .189 while the Bulldogs finished tied for second in the East Division and own a KPI of .168.
Belmont Abbey College (21-6, 16-4) earned a bye to the quarterfinals on Friday, March 6. The Crusaders won the Northwest Division and grabbed the third seed with a KPI of .153.
Shorter University (16-11, 14-6) earned the fourth seed based on winning the Southwest Division. They will host first and second round games on Sunday, March 1 and Monday, March 2. Ninth seed King University (15-12, 12-8) will take on 10th seed Emmanuel University (13-13, 8-12) in the opening round with the winner taking on the Hawks on Monday.
Lees-McRae College (19-7, 15-5) earned the fifth seed with a KPI of .139. The Bobcats will host a first round game between eighth seed UNC Pembroke (11-16, 11-9) and 11th seed Ferrum College (9-20, 7-13) on Sunday night before taking on the winner in the second round on Monday night.
Chowan University (16-8, 14-6) will be the sixth seed with a KPI of .129. The Hawks will host a first round contest between seventh seed Young Harris College (21-7, 15-5) and 12th seed University of Mount Olive (8-18, 5-15) on Sunday night before the Hawks will take on the winner on Monday night.
All KPI comparisons within .002 are considered ties for the purpose of seeding and the conference's tiebreakers are used to resolve those comparisons. Chowan and Young Harris ended tied with a KPI of .129 with Chowan winning the tiebreaker based on the Hawks defeated in the Mountain Lions.
The three first and second-round winners will advance to the quarterfinals that will be held at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on Friday, March 6. The semifinals and final follow on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday March 8 at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
The Conference Carolinas Basketball Championships will also feature the Spirit Championships, which includes being held in the main arena of Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium for the second straight year. The Spirit Championships are scheduled for the morning of Saturday, March 7.
Fans can watch every game of the tournament live via the Conference Carolinas Digital Network powered by Hudl at ConferenceCarolinas.com/watch. Fans can purchase an all-tournament pass for $25 or a daily pass for $10.
Information regarding the championship schedule and bracket are available at the links below.
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. 9 King vs. No. 10 Emmanuel (at No. 4 Shorter), 5:00 p.m.
No. 8 UNC Pembroke vs. No. 11 Ferrum (at No. 5 Lees-McRae), 5:00 p.m.
No. 7 Young Harris vs. No. 12 Mount Olive, (at No. 6 Chowan), 5:00 p.m.
Second Round – Monday, March 2 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
Winner of No. 9-No. 10 at No. 4 Shorter, 5:00 p.m.
Winner of No. 8-No. 11 at No. 5 Lees-McRae, 5:00 p.m.
Winner of No. 7-No. 12 at No. 6 Chowan, 5:00 p.m.
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 6 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
Winner of 5-8-11 vs. Winner 4-9-10, 6:00 p.m.
Winner of 6-7-12 vs. No. 3 Belmont Abbey, 8:30 p.m.
Semifinals – Saturday, March 7 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
Winner of 4-5-8-9-10-11 vs. No. 1 Francis Marion, 5:15 p.m.
Winner of 3-6-7-12 vs. No. 2 Barton, 7:30 p.m.
Final – Sunday, March 8 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2, 4:00 p.m.