LEWISTON, Idaho – The Hope International women's basketball team squares off against Lewis-Clark State on Friday in the 2026 NAIA Basketball Women's Basketball Championship First Round, presented by Ballogy.

HIU drew the No. 13 seed in the Lewiston Bracket and plays the host Warriors – the fourth seed in the Duer Bracket. 

This is HIU's fourth NAIA Tournament appearance, with previous stops in 2014, 2022 and 2023. The Royals are looking for their first postseason win in their fourth try.

HIU won both the GSAC regular season and tournament titles, finishing 24-4 overall and 15-1 in conference play. The 24 wins is tied for the second-most in program history.

Fifth-seeded Montana Tech is paired against 15th-seed Nelson (Texas) in the other first round game.

The two first round winners will meet on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.