NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 14, 2026) – No. 5 seed Holy Family University downed top seed and tournament host Southern Connecticut State University, 61-51, in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball East Region Championship on Saturday night at James Moore Field House.
Holy Family (29-4), an at-large representative from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and the No. 21-ranked team in the most recent national Division II coaches poll, advances to the regional final – and the national round of 16 – for the second consecutive season and the fifth time in program history. The Tigers will play No. 3 seed and No. 9-ranked Daemen University on Monday at 7 p.m. in New Haven.
The Tigers and Owls were even, 42-42, after three periods before HFU scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter and never trailed thereafter. SCSU pulled to within 52-51 with 2:34 remaining, but, out of a timeout, Kaelah Carter drained a three-point field goal and Southern Connecticut never scored again. Skyler Searfoss led the Tigers with 23 points. Carter finished with 11 points and seven rebounds and teammate Taylor Hinkle had nine points and 13 boards. SCSU, the Northeast 10 Conference champion, completed the season at 25-6.
Daemen (26-3), the East Coast Conference Champion, reached the regional final with a 58-55 triumph over No. 2 seed and No. 11-ranked Bentley University earlier on Saturday. Daemen was the 2024 East Region winner, while Bentley was the defending champion.
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its affiliation with NCAA Division II. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – eight for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 12 members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, 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.