Missouri State Women

Missouri State Women

Leagues Played
WNCAAB 282 WBIT 3 NIT Women 1
Links
Wikipedia
Related Teams
Missouri State

Fixtures

WNCAAB 11/03 18:00 - Missouri State Women vs St Louis Women - View
WNCAAB 11/07 18:00 - UT Arlington Women vs Missouri State Women - View
WNCAAB 11/11 18:00 - SE Missouri State Women vs Missouri State Women - View
WNCAAB 11/15 18:00 - Wichita State Women vs Missouri State Women - View
WNCAAB 11/18 18:00 - Missouri State Women vs Georgia Southern Women - View
WNCAAB 11/22 18:00 - Tulsa Women vs Missouri State Women - View

Results

WBIT 03/23 19:00 124 Missouri State Women v Minnesota Women L 71-78
WBIT 03/20 23:30 122 Oral Roberts Women v Missouri State Women W 76-107
WNCAAB 03/15 21:00 2 [3] Belmont Women v Missouri State Women [1] L 76-67
WNCAAB 03/14 23:00 3 [7] Illinois Chicago Women v Missouri State Women [1] W 70-77
WNCAAB 03/08 19:00 - Missouri State Women v Bradley Women W 64-54
WNCAAB 03/07 00:30 - Missouri State Women v Illinois State Women W 72-47
WNCAAB 03/01 22:00 - [1] Missouri State Women v Belmont Women [4] L 61-67
WNCAAB 02/28 00:00 - Murray State Women v Missouri State Women L 78-67
WNCAAB 02/22 20:00 - Drake Women v Missouri State Women W 79-82
WNCAAB 02/21 00:00 - Northern Iowa Women v Missouri State Women W 72-75
WNCAAB 02/16 20:00 - Missouri State Women v Valparaiso Women W 79-63
WNCAAB 02/14 00:00 - Southern Illinois Women v Missouri State Women W 48-83

The Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team represents Missouri State University in NCAA Division I women's basketball. The team has a storied history making 2 NCAA Final Fours, reaching 17 NCAA Tournaments, and claiming 13 conference regular season titles. The Lady Bears compete in Conference USA.

History

Missouri State, known as Southwest Missouri State (SMSU) until 2005, began play in women's basketball in 1969. The Lady Bears played in the Missouri AIAW state tournaments from 1970 to 1982, post-season AIAW regional tournaments in 1974, 1975 and 1981, and the AIAW Division II national tourney in 1981. In 1982, the Lady Bears joined the ranks of Division I programs in the NCAA. From 1982 to 1992, the Lady Bears played in the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference before that conference was absorbed by the Missouri Valley Conference in 1992. They joined Conference USA in 2025.

Missouri State has made 17 appearances in the NCAA Tournament including six straight appearances from 1991 to 1996, four straight appearances from 1998 to 2001, as well as appearances in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2022. The Lady Bears' tournament success is highlighted by two trips to the Final Four (1992, 2001), two Elite Eight appearances (1992, 2001) and five trips to the Sweet Sixteen (1992, 1993, 2001, 2019, 2021).

The Lady Bears have made 9 appearances in the WNIT (2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2023). They won the 2005 WNIT, 78–70, over West Virginia.

As of the end of the 2023–2024 season, they have an all-time record of 993–639 (.608).

1992 Final Four

In 1992, Missouri State as an 8-seed became the lowest women's seed at the time to make the Final Four. The Lady Bears beat Kansas 75–59, Iowa 61–60 in overtime, UCLA 83–57 and Ole Miss 94–71. They were defeated 84–72 by Western Kentucky in the National Semifinals.

2001 Final Four

In 2001 Missouri State earned a 5-seed in the West Region. The Lady Bears went to the Final Four in St. Louis after winning the West Region Missouri State defeated Toledo 89–71, Rutgers 60–53, Duke 81–71, and Washington 104–87. They were beaten in the National Semifinals by Purdue 81–64.

NCAA Tournament appearances

The Bears have made seventeen appearances in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, with a combined record of 18–17.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1991 #8 First Round
Second Round
#9 Tennessee Tech
#1 Tennessee
W 94–64
L 47–55
1992 #8 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
#9 Kansas
#1 Iowa
#5 UCLA
#2 Ole Miss
#4 Western Kentucky
W 75–59
W 61–60
W 83–57
W 94–71
L 72–84
1993 #7 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
#10 Oklahoma State
#2 Maryland
#6 Louisiana Tech
W 86–71
W 86–82
L 43–59
1994 #6 First Round
Second Round
#11 Northern Illinois
#3 Virginia
W 75–56
L 63–67
1995 #9 First Round
Second Round
#8 Utah
#1 Colorado
W 49–47
L 34–78
1996 #12 First Round #5 Texas L 55–73
1998 #8 First Round #9 Notre Dame L 64–78
1999 #7 First Round
Second Round
#10 UC Santa Barbara
#2 Colorado State
W 72–70
L 70–86
2000 #10 First Round #7 Auburn L 74–78
2001 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
#12 Toledo
#4 Rutgers
#1 Duke
#6 Washington
#3 Purdue
W 89–71
W 60–53
W 81–71
W 104–87
L 64–81
2003 #15 First Round #2 Texas Tech L 59–67
2004 #12 First Round #5 Notre Dame L 65–69OT
2006 #13 First Round #4 Purdue L 52–73
2016 #13 First Round #4 Texas A&M L 65–74
2019 #11 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
#6 DePaul
#3 Iowa State
#2 Stanford
W 89–77
W 69–60
L 46–55
2021 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
#12 UC Davis
#13 Wright State
#1 Stanford
W 70–51
W 64–39
L 62–89
2022 #11 First Four
First Round
#11 Florida State
#6 Ohio State
W 61–50
L 56–63

WBIT results

The Bears have made two appearances in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), with a combined record of 1–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
2024 First Round Illinois L 69–74
2025 First Round
Second Round
Oral Roberts
Minnesota
W 107–76
L 71–78

AIAW Division II tournament results

The Bears made one appearance in the AIAW National Division II basketball tournament, with a combined record of 0–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1981 First Round College of Charleston L 55–70
The Missouri State Women’s Basketball Team, representing Missouri State University, is a prominent program known for its competitive spirit and strong performances in NCAA Division I competitions. Based in Springfield, Missouri, the team competes in the Missouri Valley Conference and has a rich history of success, including multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. The team is recognized for its talented roster, disciplined play, and dedicated coaching staff committed to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. With a passionate fan base and a tradition of excellence, the Missouri State Women’s Basketball Team continues to strive for national prominence and inspire the university community.