SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State Lady Bears (22-12) earned a No. 16 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will open their 18^th NCAA appearance on Wednesday, March 18 in Austin, Texas. Mo State will face Stephen F. Austin in the First Four round. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT and will air on ESPN2. 
 
The winner of the First Four matchup will advance to play No. 1 seed Texas on Friday, March 20 at 3:00 p.m.
 
Missouri State won the Conference USA Tournament title in its first year in the league after beating the top three seeds in the tournament. The Lady Bears finished the regular season tied for third (11-7) and carried the No. 6 seed into the conference tournament, before capturing their 12^th tournament crown in program history. Mo State became the lowest seed to win the CUSA Tournament since Tulsa in 2013 (also No. 6).
 
This marks the first NCAA Tournament appearance for the Lady Bears since 2021-22 and extends Missouri State's postseason streak to 11 consecutive years. Mo State owns a 19-17 overall record at the NCAA Tournament and has two Final Four appearances in program history.
 
Tickets for the First Four are available now - to purchase, click HERE. Tickets for the First and Second Rounds will go on sale Monday, March 16 at 4:00 p.m. CT. 
 
Regional play in Fort Worth, Texas (Dickies Arena) and Sacramento, California (Golden 1 Center) will take place March 27-30, with each site hosting two regional semifinal games March 27 and two March 28. In addition, each site will host a regional championship game March 29 and one on March 31. The 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four will be played April 3 and 5 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.