Three HBCUs women’s teams earn spots in WNIT field

By HBCU Sports Report
HBCU Sports
https://hbcusports.com/

Three Division I HBCU women’s basketball programs have earned postseason bids to the 2026 Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

Alcorn State, Norfolk State, and Maryland Eastern Shore making the field highlights a strong year for MEAC and SWAC women’s basketball.

Alcorn State (17-13) secured an automatic qualifier spot as the SWAC’s WNIT representative after finishing as the conference tournament’s No. 2 seed. The Lady Braves, who emerged as one of the league’s most improved teams this season, now turn their focus to national competition.

A breakout MEAC team makes the field

Maryland Eastern Shore (19-14) also punches its ticket as the automatic qualifier from the MEAC. Their WNIT selection rewards a breakout season that saw UMES notch its highest win total in years.

Joining them is Norfolk State (18-14), which grabbed an at-large berth from the MEAC. Despite falling short of a second straight NCAA bid, the Spartans’ resume — anchored by a balanced roster and multiple Top-100 defensive rankings — impressed the WNIT selection committee enough to extend an invitation.

Norfolk State remains the lone MEAC team to win a WNIT game since 2019 and will look to build on that history.

The 2026 WNIT field includes 48 teams, featuring automatic qualifiers from across the country along with top at-large entries like Arkansas State, Marshall, and South Dakota. Matchups and regional sites are expected to be announced later this week.