Box Score | Photo Gallery | Tournament Central
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Lady Bears earn their Conference USA Women’s Basketball Title with a 43-38 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night at Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center. Junior guard
Kaemyn Bekemeier won Tournament MVP after averaging 17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in three games.
Missouri State becomes the first No. 6 seed to capture a CUSA title since 2013 after snapping the Lady Techsters 19-game winning streak and holding them to a season-low 22.7 field goal percentage. Bekemeier nearly posted a double-double with a game-high 16 points and nine rebounds.
Lainie Douglas notched her fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds along with a career-high seven blocks. Her seven blocks tied for second-most in a CUSA championship game.
Maycee James was effective on both sides of the ball for Mo State with five steals and four assists.
The Lady Bears 43-38 win marks the lowest scoring CUSA title game with 81 total points and is the second lowest scoring game in NCAA conference tournament history.
Missouri State will await their NCAA Tournament draw, which will be decided on Selection Sunday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
2026 CUSA Women’s Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team
Parris Atkins, G, FIU
Paris Bradley, G, LA Tech
Joy Madison-Key, G, LA Tech
Kaemyn Bekemeier, G, Missouri State
Lainie Douglas, F, Missouri State
Tournament MVP
Kaemyn Bekemeier, G, Missouri State
Missouri State Head Coach Beth Cunningham
Opening Statement…
“Well, I'm kind of literally at a loss for words. I lost my voice, so I probably won't say a whole lot, but I couldn't be more proud of our effort, our resilience, our toughness. Hats off to Louisiana Tech. They had one heck of a year, to kind of run through the conference like they did, and, I mean, they were outstanding. Great game, defensive battle. Just thrilled for our kids. It feels pretty sweet right now, pretty sweet.”
On adjustments from first two meetings with LA Tech…
“I think every time we played them, you know, this was obviously our third time, I think with each game we played them, we just got more and more confident on what we were going to be able to get on the offensive end of the floor. I thought we had good ball movement. I thought we handled their hedge well early. We came out and just played with a ton of confidence and got off to a great start. We felt like we needed to play with some tempo and some pace, and I thought we were able to, because we were getting stops early and get out and transition a little bit, before they could really set their defense.”
Missouri State Guard Kaemyn Bekemeier
On what the championship victory means…
“Yeah, this is everything I've ever dreamed of. I mean, I have prayers, I tell the Lord that I want this to happen, and he's completely exceeded my expectations and his team's expectations. I know He's my foundation, and He's this team's foundation. We really just put it all on Him this year, and like I said, he's exceeded our expectations. This was a goal of ours, and to be able to wear the jersey that I grew up wanting to wear, and to be able to go to the big dance is a dream come true.”
Missouri State Forward Lainie Douglas
On her goals coming into the game…
“Yeah, I feel like, like we've said, we've just been working as a team so much lately, and my teammates getting it into me is the first step to helping them out as well. Also just knowing, like, we're this close, we didn't come this close to just go out there and not give everything, so just giving it our all. Also, a little side note, it was my mom's birthday, so just also playing for her was also kind of a little extra edge, so just all of it together was just such a great opportunity, and then a great feeling after the game.”
LA Tech Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
Opening Statement…
“Yeah, I think, obviously you congratulate Missouri State. They've had a heck of a season and played really well this week. To come out today and defend the way that they did, you tip your cap to them. I wouldn't want to be in any other locker room than with the group that we've gotten the joy and the privilege to coach and be around all year long. And a message to them is you don't let one day define who you are, because today is not indicative of the year that they've had, the season that they've had, the journey that they've taken us on, and I'm just really grateful, really grateful to be their coach. I’m really grateful for the lessons that they taught me this year, and the joy that they brought to my life.”
On what helped the program return to the standard…
“I think it's people. It's the group that we have in that locker room. You can coach people, you can try to lead, but if they don't buy into the vision and mission of the group, and the standard and the expectations that you have every day, then you just have a talented group of individuals. I've said it all year long, and I know we've talked about this numerous times, pretty much after every game. This is the most selfless group that I've ever been around, and the way they play together, the way they battle for each other, the way they, compete for each other. It's just been really special. Yes, they are talented, unbelievably talented. And we have a lot of depth, but who they are, their character, their competitive character makes this group really, really special. I'm not great with math, but it's got to be over, what, 60, 70 days that we haven't experienced this, and so it's hard, and we wanted nothing more for this group to be able to be the group that got us over the hump. And today wasn't our day, and you tip your cap to Missouri State. But just incredibly proud of the people that are in that locker room.”