Kansas women defeat San Diego State in WBIT quarterfinal, move on to semifinals in Wichita
Jayhawks extend postseason run with quarterfinal victory
The University of Kansas women’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) with an 85–78 win over San Diego State in a quarterfinal played Thursday, March 26. The result sends Kansas into the tournament’s final weekend in Wichita, Kansas, where the WBIT semifinals and championship game are scheduled to be held at Charles Koch Arena.
The WBIT is a 32-team, single-elimination postseason event for programs not selected for the NCAA tournament. Early rounds are played on campus sites, with the semifinals and final staged at a predetermined neutral location. For 2026 and 2027, the NCAA selected Wichita as the host city for the WBIT’s last two rounds, with competition dates set for March 30 (semifinals) and April 1 (championship).
How the matchup unfolded
Kansas and San Diego State traded runs in a game that stayed within reach deep into the fourth quarter. Kansas’ scoring pace and late-game execution proved decisive, allowing the Jayhawks to protect the lead as San Diego State attempted to rally. Kansas finished with 85 points, an output that surpassed San Diego State’s 78 and moved the Jayhawks one win from the WBIT title game.
The quarterfinal paired two teams that entered the postseason from different competitive contexts: Kansas from the Big 12, and San Diego State from the Mountain West. For San Diego State, the loss ended its WBIT run one game short of the tournament’s neutral-site rounds.
What comes next for Kansas
With the quarterfinal complete, Kansas now shifts to Wichita for the semifinals on Monday, March 30. The WBIT format places both semifinals and the championship at Charles Koch Arena, with the title game scheduled for Wednesday, April 1.
- WBIT Semifinals: Monday, March 30, 2026 (Wichita, Kansas)
- WBIT Championship: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (Wichita, Kansas)
Semifinal matchups are determined by the remaining teams in the bracket following quarterfinal play. Kansas’ win over San Diego State secured its place in that field and ensured the Jayhawks will play on the tournament’s championship site.
Why the WBIT stage matters
The WBIT has become a significant postseason pathway for teams outside the NCAA tournament, offering additional games against Division I competition and a structured route to a national title in a single-elimination setting. For Kansas, advancing to Wichita guarantees a postseason appearance on a neutral floor and puts the program within two victories of a WBIT championship.