WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Carroll University women's basketball team enters the final weekend of the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Basketball Championship in position to make history, hosting the semifinal and championship rounds at Van Male Fieldhouse as the tournament's No. 1 seed for the first time in program history.
The Pioneers earned the top seed after finishing 15-1 in conference play and securing a share of the CCIW regular-season championship alongside Illinois Wesleyan. Through conference tiebreak procedures, Carroll claimed the No. 1 seed and the right to host, setting the stage for a postseason run that could culminate in the program's second CCIW Tournament title in three years.
Semifinal: #1 Carroll vs. #6 Wheaton
Carroll will open its tournament run Friday night against No. 6 Wheaton, which advanced through the quarterfinal round. The matchup presents a contrast in styles, as Carroll brings the league's most efficient offense into the semifinal against a Wheaton team that relies on defensive pressure and activity.
The Pioneers have been the CCIW's top offensive team all season, leading the conference in scoring (72.3 points per game), field goal percentage (.460), and three-point percentage (.338). Carroll's ability to score efficiently from all areas of the floor has been a defining theme of its 21-4 season, particularly in close games late in conference play.
Senior Natalie Gricius headlines the offense as the league's leading scorer at 22.0 points per game, while Emilie Wizner leads the CCIW in three-pointers made per game (2.79). Together, they anchor an attack that has consistently forced opponents to defend the entire floor.
Wheaton enters the semifinal as the final tournament qualifier and ranks near the top of the league in steals. Carroll's ability to manage possessions and control tempo will be a key factor as it looks to advance to the championship game on its home floor.
The Other Semifinal: #2 Illinois Wesleyan vs. #4 Carthage
While Carroll prepares for its semifinal, the opposite side of the bracket features No. 2 Illinois Wesleyan squaring off against No. 4 Carthage.
Illinois Wesleyan enters the semifinals on a six-game winning streak and boasts the league's top scoring defense, allowing just 58.9 points per game. The Titans also lead the conference in turnover margin and bring extensive postseason experience into the weekend, having won a conference-record 11 CCIW Tournament championships.
Carthage, meanwhile, arrives as one of the league's most dangerous perimeter teams, leading the CCIW in three-pointers made per game and ranking near the top in assists. The Firebirds pushed Carroll to the final possession in the regular-season finale, underscoring their ability to compete with the league's top teams.
The Championship Picture
Should Carroll advance past Wheaton, the Pioneers would face either Illinois Wesleyan or Carthage in Saturday night's championship game, with the CCIW's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament on the line.
A potential championship matchup against Illinois Wesleyan would pit the league's most efficient offense against its most disciplined defense, while a rematch with Carthage would renew a rivalry that has already produced tightly contested games this season.
Regardless of opponent, Carroll enters the final weekend with multiple advantages: home-court familiarity, offensive balance, and postseason experience from its 2024 tournament championship run. The Pioneers are seeking to become repeat tournament champions for the first time in program history and to further cement their place among the CCIW's elite programs.
Friday's semifinal between Carroll and Wheaton is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at Van Male Fieldhouse, with the championship game set for Saturday at 7 p.m.
