NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 13, 2026) – Holy Family University, an at-large representative from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship with a 58-38 opening-round victory over Assumption University on Friday at Southern Connecticut State University’s James Moore Field House.
CACC champion Felician University was defeated in first-round play by Daemen University, 75-62, earlier on Friday at Southern Connecticut State.
Holy Family (28-4), the No. 4 seed in the East Region and the No. 21-ranked team in the most recent national Division II coaches poll, committed only six personal fouls and held No. 5 seed Assumption to 25-percent shooting from the floor. The Tigers received 17 points and 10 rebounds from Claire Dougherty, while Taylor Hinkle added 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. The Greyhounds finish 20-8.
Holy Family reaches the second round for the second consecutive year, having also topped Assumption in 2025. The Tigers move on to face Southern Connecticut State (25-5), the region’s top seed, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in New Haven. SCSU got past No. 8 seed Saint Michael’s College, 56-49, on Friday.
No. 6 seed Felician (24-8) came up short to No. 3 seed and No. 9-ranked Daemen (25-3) while playing in its first NCAA Tournament. Ane Valle led four Golden Falcon double-figure scorers with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.