SPRINGFIELD -- The Missouri State women's basketball team will receive its 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship rings during a halftime ceremony at the MSU football season opener, scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Plaster Stadium.

The Lady Bears became the first No. 3 seed to win the MVC's postseason championship, defeating No. 6 Indiana State, second-seeded Drake and regular-season champion UNI en route to the school's 10th MVC Tournament crown and the 14th NCAA Tournament berth.

Missouri State earned a No. 13 seed in the Big Dance and fell at fourth-seeded Texas A&M in the first round by a final of 74-65. The Lady Bears finished the year with a 24-10 overall record after tying for second in the MVC with a 14-4 league mark.