The UTRGV Vaqueros women's basketball team will face off against the Austin Peay Governors in the first round of the 2026 Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday at 6 p.m. (CT). This matchup marks the first encounter between the two teams, with UTRGV entering with a record of 20-13 and Austin Peay at 19-13. Austin Peay was the #8 seed in the ASUN Conference, reaching the championship game before losing in overtime, while UTRGV had a successful season, setting multiple program records. A victory against Austin Peay would advance UTRGV to the second round against Illinois State, who received a bye. This appearance marks UTRGV's second in the WNIT and fifth postseason trip overall.

By the Numbers
  • UTRGV has a record of 20-13 this season, with 16 conference wins.
  • Austin Peay finished their season at 19-13, achieving an 8-10 record in the ASUN Conference.
State of Play
  • UTRGV is experiencing its best season finish since 2018-19, ranking tied for third in their conference.
  • The Vaqueros set new program records in several categories, including wins before the conference tournament (19) and consecutive conference wins (7).
What's Next

Should UTRGV defeat Austin Peay, they will face Illinois State in the second round of the WNIT, with the game scheduled between March 22-24.

Bottom Line

The upcoming game represents a significant opportunity for UTRGV to further its postseason success and utilize the momentum from a record-setting season.