CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Champions! The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team captured the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship with a 67-54 victory over rival Austin Peay on Wednesday night inside F&M Bank Arena.
 
The title marks EKU's 11th regular season conference championship, its first since 2005, and the program's first as a member of the ASUN.
 
With the win, EKU improves to 23-7 overall and 14-3 in league play, locking up the No. 1 overall seed in next week's ASUN Conference Tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. The Colonels' 23 victories tie for the second-most wins in a single season in program history with one regular season game remaining.
 
"It's never easy, I've never been associated with a Division I team winning a division title, proud of our team, I have a lot of talented players and a great coaching staff, it's been a great year," said EKU head women's basketball coach Greg Todd. "Unselfishness, willing to play both ends of the floor, just an outstanding group of young ladies that worked so hard to earn this."
 
EKU placed three players in double figures, led for the sixth straight game by senior forward Joseana Vaz, who totaled 17 points, nine rebounds and four steals while shooting 7-for-14 from the field.
 
Junior forward Kailani Lindsey recorded the first double-double of her career, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench. Senior guard Althea Kara Angeles added 15 points and five assists, marking the 38th double-figure scoring performance of her career.
 
As a team, EKU shot 50 percent (27-for-54) from the floor and outrebounded Austin Peay, 31-25. The Colonels limited the Governors to just seven points in the fourth quarter to seal the championship victory.
 
Austin Peay (15-12, 7-10 ASUN) scored the first four points of the game and led for much of the opening quarter. Freshman Kenleigh Woods and Angeles scored inside to tie the contest at 8-8, but a Mya Williams 3-pointer pushed the Governors back in front. Vaz scored twice late in the period, though Austin Peay carried an 18-15 advantage into the second quarter.
 
The Governors stretched their lead to eight early in the second after another Williams 3-pointer and an Anovia Sheals layup made it 23-15. EKU responded with defensive pressure and timely shooting. Sophomore Liz Freihofer knocked down two free throws, and senior Ndidiamaka Ndukwe buried a 3-pointer to give the Colonels their first lead at 26-25. The teams traded baskets down the stretch before Jim'Miyah Branton's late score sent the game into halftime tied at 34-34.
 
Austin Peay briefly reclaimed the lead to open the third quarter, but EKU answered behind defensive stops and transition offense. Freihofer's jumper and a pair of free throws ignited the surge, and Angeles connected from beyond the arc midway through the period to give EKU a 43-39 edge. Vaz added a late 3-pointer and Woods converted a fast-break layup off a steal as the Colonels took a 50-47 lead into the fourth.
 
EKU took control in the final quarter. Lindsey's tip-in and Vaz's 3-pointer extended the lead to 55-47. Lindsey followed with two free throws, and Vaz added a free throw and a jumper during the decisive run. Angeles capped the stretch with a driving finish as the Colonels closed out the 67-54 victory.
 
EKU returns home to Richmond to host Bellarmine on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET inside Baptist Health Arena. Fans are encouraged to attend the Colonels' regular season championship celebration following the game. Additional details will be announced in the coming days.