INDIANAPOLIS – The stage is set for a thrilling finish to the 2026 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships. Five teams – Green Bay, Youngstown State, Cleveland State, Purdue Fort Wayne, and IU Indianapolis – secured their spots in Indianapolis after winning their first-round matchups on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The competition, which began with 11 teams, is now down to these five, all vying for the coveted championship title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The 2026 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships are quickly heating up as teams battle for supremacy.
Top-seeded Green Bay demonstrated their dominance with an 81-57 victory over No. 11 seed Detroit Mercy. The Phoenix were led by a stellar performance from Jenna Guyer, who scored 25 points, and Maddy Skorupski, who achieved a rare triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Green Bay never trailed in the contest, showcasing their strength and consistency. Jasmine Edwards of Detroit Mercy delivered a strong performance in defeat, posting a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double. Green Bay will advance to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of a second-round contest on Monday at noon ET.
Youngstown State and Cleveland State Advance to Semifinals
No. 2 seed Youngstown State also secured their place in the semifinals with a decisive win, defeating No. 9 seed Wright State by 16 points. Erica King led the Penguins with 19 points, and the team showcased impressive shooting from the free-throw line, converting 94 percent of their attempts. Breezie Williams was the leading scorer for Wright State, contributing 14 points. Youngstown State will face off against Cleveland State in the second semifinal on Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The path to the semifinals wasn’t uncomplicated for No. 3 seed Cleveland State, who had to battle through overtime to overcome No. 8 seed Oakland. Izabella Zingaro was instrumental in the Vikings’ victory, scoring 29 points and adding 10 rebounds. Cleveland State’s accuracy from the free-throw line was also key, as they made 20 of 23 attempts. Despite a remarkable 39-point performance from Makenzie Luehring, Oakland ultimately fell short. Cleveland State will now prepare to take on Youngstown State on Monday afternoon.
IU Indianapolis and Purdue Fort Wayne Complete the Indianapolis Bound Teams
In a closely contested matchup, No. 7 seed IU Indianapolis earned a narrow two-point victory over No. 4 seed Northern Kentucky. The Jaguars showcased a balanced offensive attack, with five players scoring in double figures, led by Olivia Smith’s 20 points. IU Indianapolis dominated the paint, scoring 50 points inside, and capitalized on fast-break opportunities, totaling 23 points. Mya Meredith led Northern Kentucky with 16 points. The Jaguars will now face Purdue Fort Wayne in the Second Round on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
No. 5 seed Purdue Fort Wayne also advanced to Indianapolis, securing a home win against No. 6 seed RMU. Jordan Reid led the Mastodons with 15 points, whereas the team’s defense forced 21 turnovers. Myriam Traore paced the Colonials with 12 points. Purdue Fort Wayne will take on IU Indianapolis in the Second Round on Sunday.
More Than Just Basketball: Events Amplifying the Championship Experience
The 2026 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships offer more than just competitive basketball. The Horizon League is enhancing the championship experience with several amplifying events in Indianapolis. Fans can enjoy interactive games, activities, food, and beverages at the Valeo Fan Zone, located just steps from the Corteva Coliseum, between sessions on Monday and Tuesday. Anthem School Day will return for the women’s championship game, with an expected attendance of over 3,000 Indianapolis-area students. The KeyBank International Women’s Day Celebration will also be held, featuring a panel of prominent women leaders from Indianapolis.
The Horizon League, an NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 institutions, is headquartered in Indianapolis. The league focuses on developing nearly 4,000 student-athletes, providing opportunities for athletic, academic, and personal growth. The championships will culminate with second-round, semifinal, and championship games at the Corteva Coliseum from March 8-10. For those interested in attending, tickets and further information are available at HorizonLeague.com/Indy.
The competition is set to intensify as these five teams battle for the Horizon League title. Fans can expect exciting matchups and fierce competition as the tournament progresses. The next stage of the championship will unfold with the Second Round games on Sunday, followed by the semifinals on Monday and the championship game on March 10. Stay tuned to HorizonLeague.com for the latest updates and results.
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