Rust College Wins HBCUAC Women’s Basketball Championship

Rust College, a UNCF-member institution, has won the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Women’s Basketball Championship, renamed last year from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).

Rust defeated Talladega College, another UNCF-member institution, 67-60 in the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Championship. The 2026 Lady Bearcats, playing with a rotation of only six players, won three HBCUAC games in four days. The historic win — the fourth conference title in five seasons for Rust’s women’s basketball team — is confirmation of their hard work, dedication and determination.

Congratulations Lady Bearcats!

Several Lady Bearcats were also recently recognized as HBCUAC players of the week. Lauren Bennett was named HBCUAC Newcomer of the Week and Patsy Johnson was named HBCUAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Rust and Talladega’s opponents for the 2026 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Basketball National Championship Opening Round will be announced during the selection show on March 5 at 7 p.m. on NAIA’s YouTube channel. The NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament will begin on March 13 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Read more about Rust’s tournament championship on Sports Illustrated, HBCU Gameday, HBCU Sports and the Rust College Athletics website.