LMU Women’s Basketball Set to Face Stanford in WBIT Round 1

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Loyola Marymount women's basketball has been selected to compete in the 2026 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), continuing what has been one of the most historic seasons in program history. The Lions will face Stanford in the Round 1 on Thursday March 19, with the game set to take place at Stanford Maples Pavilion at 7:00 PM.

The Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) is a 32-team postseason tournament operated and funded by the NCAA that began in 2024. The event provides additional postseason opportunities for Division I women's basketball programs that were not selected for the NCAA Tournament and is comparable to the NIT on the men's side. Teams are selected by a WBIT committee composed of Division I coaches and administrators, with the tournament played in a single-elimination format. Early-round games are hosted on campus sites, while the semifinals and championship are played at a predetermined neutral venue.

The creation of the WBIT expanded NCAA-funded postseason opportunities for women's basketball to 100 total teams, helping provide competitive and championship opportunities similar to those available in men's college basketball.

LMU enters postseason play following one of the most successful campaigns in program history. The Lions captured the 2025-26 West Coast Conference regular-season championship, marking the program's first conference title since the 2003-04 season, while compiling one of the top overall win totals in program history. Throughout the season, LMU emerged as one of the WCC's top teams while gaining national attention for their consistent play on both ends of the floor.

The Lions have been led throughout the season by standout performances from Jess Lawson, Andjela Matic, and Maya Hernandez, who have played key roles in LMU's success. The trio has helped anchor the team offensively and defensively while guiding the Lions through one of the program's most memorable seasons.

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Players Mentioned

#55 Maya Hernandez: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#0 Jess Lawson: G; 5' 7"; Graduate Student

#28 Andjela Matic: G; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#55 Maya Hernandez
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#0 Jess Lawson
: 5' 7"; Graduate Student
: G

#28 Andjela Matic
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

Players Mentioned

#55 Maya Hernandez

#0 Jess Lawson

#28 Andjela Matic

Players Mentioned

#55 Maya Hernandez

#0 Jess Lawson

#28 Andjela Matic