Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball championship history

The Ohio Valley Conference, also known as the OVC, holds an annual women’s basketball tournament with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Ohio Valley features 12 teams: Austin Peay, Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Murray State, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.

The conference tournament begins March 3 and runs through March 6.

The OVC women’s basketball tournament began in 1982.

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Read below for a list of past tournament champions.

2020: SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE

Southeast Missouri State defeated Tennessee-Martin, 67-47, to win the Ohio Valley title. Tesia Thompson was named tournament MVP.

2019: BELMONT

Jenny Roy led Belmont to a fourth straight OVC title in 2019. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Belmont won a fourth straight in 2019. They defeated Tennessee-Martin, 59-53. Jenny Roy won the MVP award.

2018: BELMONT

Belmont won No. 3 in 2018. The Bruins defeated Tennessee-Martin, 63-56, in overtime. Darby Maggard was named MVP.

2017: BELMONT

Belmont repeated as OVC champs in 2017. The Bruins defeated Eastern Kentucky, 94-64. Kylee Smith was named MVP.

2016: BELMONT

Belmont defeated Eastern Kentucky, 95-63, to start their run through the OVC in 2016. Sally McCabe was named tournament MVP.

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2015: TENNESSEE STATE

In 2015, Tennessee State ended Tennessee-Martin’s run. They won the OVC title, 64-60. Brianna Lawrence won the MVP award.

2014: TENNESSEE-MARTIN

Tennessee-Martin defeated Belmont, 78-66. Jasmine Newsome became the second three-time MVP winner.

2013: TENNESSEE-MARTIN

Tennessee-Martin needed double overtime in 2013 to beat Tennessee Tech for a third straight year but they did it. The Skyhawks won, 87-80. Jasmine Newsome won her second tournament MVP.

2012: TENNESSEE-MARTIN

In 2012, Tennessee-Martin won another OVC title. They defeated Tennessee Tech, 82-65. Heather Butler came away with the MVP trophy.

2011: TENNESSEE-MARTIN

Tennessee-Martin reclaimed OVC glory in 2011. The Skyhawks beat Tennessee Tech, 82-76. Jasmine Newsome won the MVP award.

2010: AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay repeated in 2010. The Governors defeated Eastern Illinois, again, 69-60. Ashley Herring won the MVP award.

2009: AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay defeated Eastern Illinois, 69-65, in double overtime. April Thomas was named tournament MVP.

2008: MURRAY STATE

In 2008, Murray State defeated Eastern Illinois, 69-58. Amber Guffey was named tournament MVP.

2007: SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE

Southeast Missouri State repeated in 2007 with a 62-60 victory over Murray State. Sonya Daugherty was named tournament MVP.

2006: VACATED

Southeast Missouri State defeated Tennessee Tech, 71-50, in 2006. Tatiana Conceicao won the MVP award. The title was later vacated due to a violation of NCAA bylaws.

2005: EASTERN KENTUCKY

Eastern Kentucky won its first OVC title since 1997. In 2005, they defeated Southeast Missouri State in double overtime, 84-73. Miranda Eckerle was named tournament MVP.

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2004: AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay won a fourth straight title in 2004. They defeated Eastern Kentucky, 65-51. Gerlonda Hardin won a second MVP award.

2003: AUSTIN PEAY

In 2003, it was Austin Peay for a third straight time. They beat Southeast Missouri State, 85-61. Brooke Armistead was named tournament MVP.

2002: AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay repeated as champion in 2002. They defeated Tennessee Tech, again, 85-83. Gerlonda Hardin was MVP.

2001: AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay came away with the title in 2001. The Governors defeated Tennessee Tech, 65-61. Brooke Armistead was named tournament MVP.

2000: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech defeated Austin Peay, 89-80, in 2000. Diane Seng repeated as MVP in the win.

1999: TENNESSEE TECH

In 1999, Tennessee Tech defeated Tennessee-Martin 86-83. Diane Seng was named MVP.

1998: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Middle Tennessee State was back on top of the OVC in 1998. They defeated Tennessee-Martin, 59-58. Bama Burrell was named tournament MVP.

1997: EASTERN KENTUCKY

Eastern Kentucky followed Austin Peay in winning its first OVC title the following year. They defeated Tennessee Tech, 69-65. Laphelia Doss was MVP.

1996: AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay won its first OVC title in 1996. They defeated Middle Tennessee State, 69-60. Simone Caldwell was named MVP.

1995: TENNESSEE STATE

Tennessee State repeated as champions in 1995. They defeated Tennessee Tech, 66-63. Connie Swift repeated as tournament MVP.

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1994: TENNESSEE STATE

In 1994, Tennessee State was on top of the OVC. They beat out Tennessee Tech, 71-63. Connie Swift was named tournament MVP.

1993: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech beat out Middle Tennessee State, 80-73, in 1993. Roschelle Vaughn was named MVP.

1992: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech defeated Eastern Kentucky, 81-74, in 1992. Jaree Goodin was named tournament MVP.

1991: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech defeated Middle Tennessee State, 84-59. Angela Moorehead won a third consecutive title.

1990: TENNESSEE TECH

In 1990, Tennessee Tech repeated as champions. They defeated Murray State, 79-72. Angela Moorehead was named MVP for the second straight season.

1989: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech edged out Murray State, 80-79. Angela Moorehead was named tournament MVP.

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1988: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

In 1988, Middle Tennessee State was back on top after beating Tennessee State 79-62. Melinda Clayton, of Tennessee Tech, was named MVP.

1987: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech briefly ended Middle Tennessee State’s run in 1987. They defeated the Blue Raiders, 71-67. Cheryl Taylor was named MVP.

1986: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

It was four straight titles for the Blue Raiders in 1986. They defeated Tennessee Tech, 66-63. Kim Webb repeated as tournament MVP.

1985: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Middle Tennessee State won its third straight OVC title in 1985. They defeated Tennessee Tech, 67-61. Kim Webb was named tournament MVP.

1984: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Middle Tennessee State defeated Tennessee Tech, 71-61, in 1984. They were the first repeat OVC champion. Jennifer McFall was named MVP.

1983: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Middle Tennessee State defeated Morehead State, 74-61, in 1983. Holly Hoover won the MVP.

1982: TENNESSEE TECH

Tennessee Tech won the first postseason Ohio Valley Conference tournament in 1982. They defeated Morehead State, 80-66. Anita Myers was named tournament MVP.