ONU, IUSB To Meet For Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Saturday

CHICAGO --- No. 3 seed Indiana University South Bend will hope that the third time is the charm when it squares off against top-seeded Olivet Nazarene University for the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament championship on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm in Bourbonnais. 

Both teams advanced to the title game with victories in semifinal-round action on Thursday night.  IUSB claimed a 74-65 win over No. 7 St. Ambrose University, while Olivet Nazarene ran past No. 5 Governors State University 82-68.

During the regular season, Olivet Nazarene (24-6) won a pair of tight decisions over the Titans, 91-84 back on Dec. 6 in Bourbonnais and 86-85 at IUSB on Feb. 11.

Indiana South Bend is playing for the right to go to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.  The Titans need a victory to gain the league's second bid.  Olivet Nazarene earned the first berth by capturing the regular-season title.  If the Tigers win, University of St. Francis gets the second bid after placing second during the regular season.

Recapping Thursday:

Olivet Nazarene 82, Governors State 68
Trailing 43-42 at the break, Olivet Nazarene outscored Governors State 24-9 in the third quarter and never looked back.  The Tigers also held a 34-14 advantage in points off turnovers to offset Governors State's .531 shooting percentage from the field (26-of-49).  Lindsey Nell had another solid all-around performance with her 20 points, six rebounds and six steals for the winners.  Calee Biedron was right behind with her 19 points.  GSU's Alexis Warren led all scorers with 21 points, while providing six rebounds off the bench.

Indiana South Bend 74, St. Ambrose 65
Indiana South Bend had four of its five starters reach double figures and the Titans outscored St. Ambrose 42-26 in the paint to advance.  Tenleigh Phelps had a monster game for IUSB with her 25 points and 14 boards.  Aubrie Booker chipped in another 17 markers.  Caitlyn Thole (12 points, 11 rebounds) had a double-double for St. Ambrose.

The complete schedule and results follow:

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Game #1: No. 1 seed Olivet Nazarene 109, No. 8 seed Holy Cross 87
Game #2: No. 5 seed Governors State 60, No. 4 seed Saint Xavier 61
Game #3: No. 7 seed St. Ambrose 68, No. 2 seed St. Francis 66
Game #4: No. 3 seed Indiana South Bend 71, No. 6 seed Viterbo 65 

Thursday, February 26, 2026 (at site of highest remaining seed)
Game #5: No. 1 seed Olivet Nazarene 82, No. 5 seed Governors State 68
Game #6: No. 3 seed Indiana South Bend 74, No. 7 seed St. Ambrose 65

Saturday, February 28, 2026 (at site of highest remaining seed)
Game #7: No. 3 seed Indiana South Bend (23-7) at No. 1 seed Olivet Nazarene (24-6) --- 1 pm