Cal Lutheran women's basketball is dancing in the 2025 NCAA Championship, earning an automatic bid after capturing its first SCIAC Tournament Championship since 2013. The Regals face McMurray in the first round in Marshall, Texas, on Friday, March 7, at 2:45 p.m. PT.
REGIONAL BRACKET AND SCHEDULE
Friday, March 7
McMurray vs. Cal Lutheran, 2:45 p.m. PT
No. 19 East Texas Baptist vs. RV Texas Lutheran, 5:15 p.m. PT
Saturday, March 8
East Texas Baptist/Texas Lutheran vs. McMurray/Cal Lutheran, 5:15 p.m. PT
TALE OF THE TAPE
Cal Lutheran
The Regals make their first appearance in the dance since 2013, when they were defeated by Whitman in the round of 64. The lone school representing the SCIAC, the Regals are one of 43 conference tournament champions to earn an automatic bid to the 2025 Championship. With no shortage of momentum, Coach Kelli DiMuro and SCIAC Tournament MVP Janna Holley look to lead the Regals to a deep Championship run.
McMurray
McMurray makes its first Championship appearance since 2008 and is one of 21 teams to earn an at-large berth to the Championship. The War Hawks finished 21-5 overall and 14-2 in conference play, establishing themselves as one of the best teams in Texas's competitive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Entering the SCAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed on a seven-game winning streak, they were upset in a one-point loss to Trinity (TX).
No. 19 East Texas Baptist
East Texas Baptist will enjoy home-court advantage as the Regional host. The Tigers notched two wins over top-25 teams in their 23-4 season and went a perfect 8-0 in conference play en route to the American Southwest Conference Championship. The Tigers are led by ASC Player of the Year Payton Hicks, who averaged 13.1 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. Four other Tigers received all-conference honors, making East Texas Baptist formidable opponents.
RV Texas Lutheran
The Bulldogs earned an automatic bid to the after winning the SCAC Tournament Championship against Trinity (TX), making their first Championship appearance since the 2019 season. Texas Lutheran has won eight of its last nine games, its lone loss coming against the Regals' opponent, McMurray.
NEXT
Tune in to the Regals' NCAA Championship first-round matchup against McMurray on Friday, March 7, at 2:45 p.m. PT. For more information on the tournament and how to watch, visit the official 2025 NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship page.
