In the East, Mississippi Valley State posted a 13-3 SWAC record to clinch its seventh straight Eastern Division title and #1 tourney seed. The Devilettes are the six-time defending champions and will look to make it seven in a row this weekend.
With a 12-5 conference record, Alcorn State will enter the tournament as the East’s #2 seed. The Lady Braves last claimed a share of conference championship in 1997 (co-champions with Grambling State). Rounding out the Eastern bracket are Alabama State and Jackson State with the #3 and #4 seeds, respectively. The Lady Hornets finished the season with an 11-6 slate, while the Lady Tigers registered a 6-11 mark in conference play to punch the last tourney ticket in the East.
Texas Southern claimed the #1 seed in the West with a 13-4 record and will seek its first SWAC title since 2000. Southern University, the 2009 Western Division champion, captured the West’s #2 seed and will be in search of its third SWAC championship and first since 2003.
Grambling State and Arkansas–Pine Bluff both finished with identical 6-11 records in the West. However, the Lady Tigers swept the Lady Lions in a three-game series earlier in the season to claim the tie-breaker advantage and the #3 seed while UAPB enters the tourney in the #4 slot. Grambling State last won the conference title in 2001.
First round action of the tournament will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Friday and Saturday’s games are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Sunday’s Championship game is set for 1 p.m. (CT) and will air live on ESPNU.