The Summit League holds an annual women’s basketball tournament with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The conference features nine teams: Denver, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Omaha, Oral Roberts, IPFW, South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Western Illinois.
The Summit League tournament begins March 7 and runs through March 10.
The conference first held a women’s basketball tournament in 1993. The Summit was known as the Mid-Continent Conference from 1989 to 2007.
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Read below for a list of previous champions.
2020: SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota defeated South Dakota State in 2020, 63-58, to capture the Summit League title. Hannah Sjerven was named tournament MVP.
2019: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State won its ninth conference title in 11 years, defeating South Dakota 83-71. Macy Miller became the second player to win three tournament MVPs.
2018: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State defeated South Dakota, 65-50. Macy Miller won a second tournament MVP.
2017: WESTERN ILLINOIS
Western Illinois needed overtime in 2017 to beat IUPUI, 77-69. Emily Clemens was named tournament MVP. IUPUI now plays in the Horizon League.
2016: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State repeated in 2016, defeating South Dakota 61-55. Macy Miller was named tournament MVP.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2015: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State was back on top in 2015, defeating South Dakota 72-57. Nicole Seekamp, of South Dakota, was named tournament MVP.
2014: SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota briefly halted South Dakota State’s run in 2014. The Coyotes defeated Denver, 82-71. Polly Harrington was named tournament MVP.
2013: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
In 2013, South Dakota State won a fifth-straight Summit League title. They knocked off South Dakota, 56-53. Ashley Eide was named tournament MVP.
2012: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State needed overtime in 2012 to get past UMKC. They won the conference title, 78-77. Jennie Sunnarborg was named tournament MVP.
2011: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State won its third straight title in 2011. They defeated Oakland, 61-54. Kristin Rotert was named tournament MVP.
2010: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
In 2010, South Dakota State needed overtime to beat Oral Roberts. The Jackrabbits won, 79-75. Maria Boever was named tournament MVP.
BIG EAST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2009: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State began nearly a 10-year run as tops in the conference in 2009. The Jackrabbits defeated Oakland, 79-69. Jennifer Warkenthien was named tournament MVP.
2008: ORAL ROBERTS
Oral Roberts won its third title in four years in 2008. They defeated IUPUI, 66-53. Elisha Turek became the first three-time MVP winner.
2007: ORAL ROBERTS
Oral Roberts beat out Oakland, 72-55, in 2007. Elisha Turek won a second tournament MVP award.
2006: OAKLAND
Oakland defeated Western Illinois, 65-56. Anne Hafeli was named tournament MVP.
2005: ORAL ROBERTS
Oral Roberts won its third conference title in 2005. They defeated UMKC, 48-42. Elish Turek was named tournament MVP.
2004: VALPARAISO
Valparaiso repeated in 2004, defeating Oral Roberts 64-63. Leah Cannon, of Oral Roberts, was named tournament MVP.
2003: VALPARAISO
Valparaiso won the title in 2003, defeating Oakland 48-46. Katie Boone was named tournament MVP.
2002: OAKLAND
Oakland won its first conference title in 2002. They defeated Valparaiso, 52-40. Sarah Judd was named tournament MVP.
2001: ORAL ROBERTS
Oral Roberts won the tournament in 2001. They defeated Oakland, 61-46. Krista Ragan won the MVP and became the first multi-MVP winner.
2000: YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Youngstown State defeated Valparaiso, 73-57. Brianne Kenneally was named tournament MVP.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
1999: ORAL ROBERTS
In 1999, Oral Roberts defeated Youngstown State 57-52. They defeated Krista Ragan was named tournament MVP.
1998: YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Youngstown State won its second conference title in 1998. The Penguins defeated Valparaiso, 78-69. Sarrah Stricklett was named tournament MVP.
1997: TROY
Troy won the MCC in 1997. They defeated Youngstown State, 89-75. Samantha Tomlinson was named tournament MVP.
1996: YOUNGSTOWN STATE
In 1996, Youngstown State won its first title. They defeated Buffalo, 53-43. Shannon Beach was named tournament MVP.
1995: WESTERN ILLINOIS
Western Illinois won the Mid-Continent Conference in 1995. They defeated Youngstown State, 73-60. Oberon Pitterson was named MVP.
OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
1994: GREEN BAY
Green Bay defeated Northern Illinois, 73-70, in 1994. E.C. Hill, of Northern Illinois, was named tournament MVP.
1993: NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois won the first Mid-Continent Conference women’s tournament in 1993. They defeated Green Bay, 75-58. Dawn Schirmacher, of Green Bay, was named MVP.