by Alexis Spier–Wins over Iowa Wesleyan and St. Francis (Ill) have Morningside in the round of 16 and headed to the Tyson Events Center for the NAIA National Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Now 29-5 the Mustangs’ next face Carroll College of Montana, Thursday, March 17, at 3 pm.
This year’s tournament will see some changes as the NAIA has merged Division I and Division II to one division and one championship.
In 1992, the NAIA basketball world split into to divisions. At the 2018 NAIA National Convention the Council of Presidents approved the motion to merge. After the 2020 basketball season abruptly ended, NAIA merged back to one division.
In 2019, the NAIA made the Tyson Events Center, Sioux City, and Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City the official locations for tournament play. Following this change, instead of 32 teams making it to the National Tournament, 16 teams will make it. Prior to the merge, often teams would have to win five games in six or seven days to win the national title.
Previously, NAIA Division I allowed 11 scholarships to be given out, and Division II was allowed six. After the merge, the limit was changed to eight scholarships per NAIA basketball team.
Ranked first in the nation for NAIA women’s basketball is Thomas Moore, KY. Last year, Thomas Moore lost to Westmont, Cal., in the championship game. This year, Westmont is ranked fifth in the nation.
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