After a dominant 94-57 win against Black Hills State University (BHSU) in the semifinals, the women’s basketball team hosted University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in the 2026 RMAC championship game. The matchup served as a rematch of the 2025 RMAC final, where the Mavericks fell to UCCS 63-61. This time Mesa changed the ending.
After a 40 point and 12 rebound performance in the semifinal against BHSU, Olivia Reed-Thyne credited her teammates and Head Coach Taylor Wagner for those opportunities.
“My team puts so much belief in me. They want to get me the ball and they are so good at it. The ball movement is all Wag. He does a really good job running our offense and knowing when and where to get the ball. We put a lot of trust in him,” Reed-Thyne said to RMAC media after their win over BHSU.
The championship game at Brownson Arena featured the tournament’s top two seeds, No. 1 Colorado Mesa and No. 2 UCCS. After a tight first half, the Mavericks led 38-35 at halftime after Reed-Thyne knocked down a buzzer-beating layup.
UCCS battled throughout the third quarter. They took the lead when Amyah Moore Allen scored, making it 57-56 with 38 seconds remaining in the quarter. Mesa responded when Reed-Thyne finished another layup at the buzzer, giving the Mavericks a 58-57 advantage as they entered the fourth quarter. The final period belonged entirely to CMU.
During a chaotic stretch, UCCS Head Coach Misty Wilson was ejected from the game. A reporter from The Daily Sentinel said that the coach recieved two technical fouls, which resulted in automatic expulsion.
The Mavericks took full control, and outscored the Lions 34-10 in the fourth quarter to secure a 92-67 victory and the 2026 RMAC women’s basketball championship.
As ABBA’s Dancing Queen played through the arena speakers during the celebration, Wagner reflected on the moment and praised his team.
“Well yeah, I mean this was one of our goals that we wanted to do,” Wagner said. “I’m just happy the girls were able to do it. We had an awesome crowd and for them to be able to do it on their home floor was really special.”
Redshirt sophomore guard Mason Rowland totaled 35 points in the championship game and converted several technical free throws during the decisive fourth quarter. For Rowland, the performance carried additional meaning after she suffered a torn ACL three games into last season.
“I think it means the world,” Rowland said. “We set goals in the beginning of the year and we accomplished them now. We’re not done yet. We still have more games to play. But this proves you can come back after anything. If you put your mind to it and you work hard, that’s all you have to do.”
Senior guard Mykaela Moore said the title represented three years of work and faith.
“Our first year we lost in the first round. Last year we lost in the championship to UCCS. This was a rematch and I’m happy to say my teammates pulled through,” Moore said. “We all did what we were supposed to do out there. It means so much to me to accomplish this. I can’t thank my teammates enough for everything they did, and just God for the opportunity to be here. Go Mavs!”
The Mavericks’ season continues beyond the RMAC title. The conference championship secured Mesa an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II tournament.
