INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in program history the Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team will be hosting the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament. The Wildcats (23-6) earned the No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA Division II West Region Tournament, the NCAA announced in their annual Selection Show Sunday evening. 
 
The Wildcats will see a familiar face in the opening round when they clash with the GNAC Tournament Champions and No. 8 seed Montana State Billings (20-14) on Friday, March 13. Central Washington will also serve as the host for the West Region Tournament, with all games taking place inside Nicholson Arena in Ellenburg, Wash.
 
Under Head Coach Randi Richardson, Central Washington has now advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times with all four appearances coming in the last five seasons. The Wildcats earned their first NCAA Tournament win in 2022, and last season made history as the first squad for the crimson and black to not only win once but twice making it to the programs first-ever Sweet 16. Overall, this appearance marks the Wildcats seventh appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. 
 
Joining the Wildcats in the west region tournament is fellow GNAC member and second-seeded Western Washington, third-seeded and CCAA Regular Season Champion Cal Poly Pomona, fourth-seeded and PacWest Champion Vanguard, fifth-seeded and CCAA Tournament Champion Cal State LA, sixth-seeded Azusa Pacific, seventh-seeded Point Loma, and eighth-seeded Montana State Billings.
 
More information can be found at the NCAA West Region Homepage HERE