FARMINGTON, Utah (March 31, 2026) – A historic Big Sky Women's Basketball season comes to an end as the Vandals of Idaho find themselves sweeping basketball titles and three teams earn postseason bids.
Big Sky Women's Basketball Weekly Notes (Season Recap)
Idaho Wins First Tournament Title Since 2016
The Idaho Vandals won the 2026 Big Sky Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship, completing the season sweep of titles.
The Vandals defeated reigning tournament champions, Montana State, in the championship, who they split games with in the regular seaon, by a score of 60-57. It is their first trip back to the NCAA Tournament since 2015-16.
The Vandals drew a #13 seed in the NCAA tournament and went on to face fourth-seeded Oklahoma in Norman. The 29-win season ended for the Vandals in the Sooner State.
Idaho's Hope Hassmann was named Big Sky Tournament MVP after an 11-point championship game performance.
2026 Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Hope Hassmann, Idaho (MVP)
Debora Dos Santos, Idaho
Kyra Gardner, Idaho
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Addison Harris, Montana State
Natalie Picton, Sacramento State
Bobcats WNIT Run Ends in Great 8
After earning a first round bye in the WNIT tournament, the Montana State Bobcats collected wins #26 and #27 on the season over San Francisco and Portland in the second round and Super 16 of the tournament.
The second round win over San Francisco marked the first-ever postseason win for the Bobcats.
Montana State’s season ended in the Great Eight as South Dakota defeated the Bobcats 65-56 in Vermillion.
The youthful Bobcats, which played 2025-26 without a senior on the active roster, finished the longest season in program history. March 29 is the latest a Montana State basketball team has played, and the team’s 35 games is tied for the most for the Bobcat women’s team.
Bears Fall in Second Round of WNIT
Northern Colorado also found success in the postseason after securing a first round win in the WNIT tournament over in-state foe Air Force.
The Bears continued their postseason run on the road when they traveled to Vermillion for the second round where their season came to an end again South Dakota.
Northern Colorado secured its first 20-win season since 2018–19 under Head Coach Kristen Mattio.
Vandals Claim Trio of All-Conference Awards
Second-year head coach Arthur Moreira has already led the Vandals to the crown in just two years of work.
Coaches around the league have recognized his success by voting him coach of the year. He has led the Vandals to a top-three finish in the league in his first two seasons.
Kyra Gardner earned Newcomer of the Year honors after a successful first year in the league after transferring from Washington State. Debora Dos Santos was also named Top Reserve after her contributions off the bench.
The two Vandals are two of five Vandals averaging more than 10 ppg for the Black and Gold.
Big Sky Women’s Basketball 2025-26 Individual Award Winners
Most Valuable Player – Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Newcomer of the Year – Kyra Gardner, Idaho*
Defensive Player of the Year – Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Top Reserve – Debora dos Santos, Idaho
Freshman of the Year – Naomi White, Northern Arizona
Coach of the Year – Arthur Moreira, Idaho*
* Unanimous Selection
2025-26 Big Sky Women’s Basketball First Team All-Conference
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State*
Naomi White, Northern Arizona
Kyra Gardner, Idaho
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
Addison Harris, Montana State
Kacey Spink, Idaho State
Tasia Jordan, Idaho State
* Unanimous Member of the All-Big Sky First Team
2025-26 Big Sky Women’s Basketball Second Team All-Conference
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State
Debora dos Santos, Idaho
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Ella Gallatin, Eastern Washington
Avery Waddington, Montana
Tatum West, Northern Colorado
2025-26 Big Sky Women’s Basketball All-Conference Honorable Mention
Neenah George, Northern Colorado
Antoniette Emma-Nnopu, Weber State
Rubi Gray, Sacramento State
Kyleigh Brown, Portland State
Heather Baymon, Northern Colorado
2025-26 Big Sky Women’s Basketball All-Defensive Team
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State (DPOY)
Kacey Spink, Idaho State
Ana Pinheiro, Idaho
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State
Tatum West, Northern Colorado
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