LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon Women's Basketball team has packed its bags and is headed to Mitchell, South Dakota for the First and Second Rounds of the NAIA National Championship, presented by Ballogy. Both rounds will be held at The World's Only Corn Palace, with First Round matchups on Friday, March 13.

The Mountaineers, seeded No.7  in the Duer bracket, will take on the No.10 seed College of the Ozarks (Mo.) on Friday at 7:45 p.m. CT. 

Eastern Oregon enters national tournament play with a 25–5 overall record and a 16–4 mark in Cascade Collegiate Conference play under 26th Year Head Coach Anji Weissenfluh. The Mountaineers earned the conference's automatic bid after securing a share of the regular-season title and the No. 2 seed in the CCC Tournament. This marks the 17th appearance in the national tournament for Eastern Oregon, which holds an all-time record of 10–16 in championship play.

Eastern Oregon is led by senior standout Kelsie Siegner, who has been a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Siegner leads the Mountaineers in points per game (14.5), rebounds (8.9), blocks (52), steals (48), field goals made (161), and three-pointers (50). Her ability to impact the game across multiple categories has made her the centerpiece of the Mountaineers' offense while also anchoring their defensive presence in the paint. Siegner earned CCC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Conference honors.

Kali Kast has also been a key contributor throughout the season, averaging 9.7 points per game while shooting efficiently with 115 field goals made and 40 three-pointers. Kast adds versatility to the lineup with her perimeter scoring and defensive presence, contributing 16 blocks on the year, and earning CCC Honorable Mention. 

In the backcourt, Maggie Smith provides consistent production and playmaking ability. Smith averages 9.0 points per game and has recorded 97 field goals, while also facilitating the offense with 62 assists. Her defensive pressure has been notable as well, totaling 29 steals this season, and earning CCC Honorable Mention.

College of the Ozarks enters the national tournament with a 21–10 overall record and a 16–6 mark in the Sooner Athletic Conference, earning an at-large bid to the championship field. The Bobcats bring extensive postseason experience, making their 30th appearance in the NAIA National Championship. Historically, they have compiled a 40–28 record in tournament play and have finished as the national runner-up six times.

The Bobcats are led by 12th year Head Coach Becky Mullis, who has guided the program to consistent national success.

Offensively, Logan Jones leads the team with 16.4 points per game, shooting 41% from the field and 88% from the free-throw line. Jones is a dynamic all-around threat who contributes across the stat sheet, averaging 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while also stretching defenses from beyond the arc. Her ability to attack the basket and draw fouls makes her one of the Bobcats' most reliable scoring options.

Keara Mattingley provides another major offensive weapon, averaging 15.2 points per game while shooting an efficient 48% from the field and 78% from the free-throw line. She also contributes heavily on the glass with 7.6 rebounds per game, giving the Bobcats a strong interior presence on both ends of the floor.

Freshman guard Ashlen Garrett has also made an immediate impact in her first collegiate season. Garrett averages 13.5 points per game, shoots 40% from the field, and has connected on 44 three-pointers this season. She adds defensive intensity as well, averaging 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

The Mountaineers and Bobcats last met in the national tournament during the 2012 NAIA Elite Eight in Sioux City, Iowa. In that matchup, College of the Ozarks defeated Eastern Oregon 74–55 to advance to the Final Four, eventually finishing as the national runner-up.

With a First Round victory, the Mountaineers would advance to face the winner of the matchup between No. 2 seed Dakota Wesleyan, the bracket host, and No. 15 seed St. Francis (Ill.) on Saturday, March 14, at 6 p.m. CT. Dakota Wesleyan enters the contest with a 25–6 overall record, an 18–4 mark in GPAC play, and a Tournament Championship under 16th-year head coach Jason Christensen. St. Francis (Ill.) boasts a 25–4 overall record and a 17–3 mark in CCAC play, earning an automatic bid as regular-season runner-up, led by fifth-year head coach John McGinty.