Historic Season: Northwood Women’s Basketball Wins First Conference Tournament Championship In Program History
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Photos By: Sebastien Desiderio / @Sebdesflics IG
The 2025–26 season will be remembered as the year the Northwood University women’s basketball program reached new heights. After a record-breaking regular season, the Timberwolves capped off their historic run by winning the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament Championship, defeating Malone University 64–53 to secure the first conference tournament title in program history.
The victory not only added another milestone to a remarkable season but also earned Northwood an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
A Season for the Record Books
Northwood’s championship win was the culmination of a season filled with historic achievements. The Timberwolves finished the year with 26 wins, the most in program history, while extending their winning streak to 16 consecutive games.
Earlier in the season, Northwood also secured the G-MAC regular-season championship, marking the first time any basketball team—men’s or women’s—at the university had won an outright conference title.
The team’s regular-season performance included:
26–5 overall record
19–1 conference record
Multiple program records broken, including most wins in a season
Longest winning streak in school history
The Timberwolves’ consistency and depth made them one of the most dominant teams in the conference throughout the season.
Championship Game Breakdown
In the G-MAC Tournament Championship, Northwood controlled the game from the start. The Timberwolves built an early lead and maintained momentum throughout the contest, never allowing Malone to take the lead.
Final Score
Northwood 64 — Malone 53
Key Contributors
Lea Holmes – 19 points, 8 rebounds
Karie Keefer – 12 points off the bench
Maeve St. John – 11 points
Northwood also controlled the glass with a 41–34 rebounding advantage and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 18 points off Malone miscues.
While neither team shot particularly well from the field, the Timberwolves made the difference at the free-throw line, converting 15 of 18 attempts (83.3%) to maintain their lead late in the game.
Star Power Leading the Way
One of the driving forces behind Northwood’s success this season has been senior guard Maeve St. John. St. John became the first player in program history to be named G-MAC Player of the Year, averaging:
19.0 points per game
5.8 rebounds
4.3 assists
3.6 steals per game
She also set program records for single-season scoring, free throws made, and steals, further cementing her place among the greatest players in school history.
Alongside St. John, center Lea Holmes emerged as another key piece, averaging over 16 points per game and earning First Team All-Conference honors.
Leadership from the Sideline
Head coach Autumn Hunter has played a crucial role in the program’s rise. Hunter guided the Timberwolves to a program-record season and earned G-MAC Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season.
Under her leadership, Northwood built a culture focused on preparation, discipline, and steady improvement—values that paid off with the team’s historic championship run.
Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament
With the conference tournament title secured, Northwood now advances to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament. The automatic bid marks the program’s third NCAA appearance, following previous tournament trips in 2009 and 2021.
The team will await the official bracket announcement, but the Timberwolves enter the tournament riding momentum and confidence from their record-breaking season.
A New Standard for the Program
For a program that had never previously captured an overall conference championship, the 2025–26 season represents a turning point. From dominating conference play to winning the tournament title, Northwood has established a new standard for success.
What began as a promising season has turned into a historic campaign that will be remembered as one of the greatest in Northwood basketball history.
Comments