OWENSBORO, KY — College basketball is returning to the Owensboro Sportscenter with a national spotlight this November as Kentucky Wesleyan College joins seven visiting programs for the 2026 Division II Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Classic, scheduled for November 6–7.

Hosted by Visit Owensboro, the Owensboro Sportscenter and Kentucky Wesleyan College, the two-day event will bring eight NCAA Division II women’s basketball programs to Owensboro for an early-season showcase featuring teams from across the country.

The Tip-Off Classic is recognized by the NCAA as a season-opening event that allows select Division II programs to compete before the standard opening week of the basketball season. Five of this year’s participating teams competed in the 2025–26 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament, adding to the level of competition expected throughout the weekend.

For Kentucky Wesleyan, the event provides an opportunity to open the 2026–27 season in front of its home fans while competing against a strong collection of programs.

Eight Programs, Two Days of Basketball

Kentucky Wesleyan will be joined by Harding University of Searcy, Arkansas; Union University of Jackson, Tennessee; Wayne State University of Detroit, Michigan; Carson-Newman University of Jefferson City, Tennessee; Missouri Western State University of St. Joseph, Missouri; Gannon University of Erie, Pennsylvania; and Roosevelt University of Chicago, Illinois.

The participating programs represent several regions of the country, bringing a variety of opponents to the Sportscenter for the early-season competition.

Friday’s action begins at 11:45 a.m. CST, with four games scheduled each day. Kentucky Wesleyan will close the opening day against Roosevelt at 6:30 p.m. before returning to the court Saturday evening to face Carson-Newman at 6:30 p.m.

Panthers Prepare for Another Season

Kentucky Wesleyan enters the event following a 15–12 campaign in 2025–26, including an 11–9 record in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play.

Head coaches Nicole and Caleb Nieman are entering their 17th season leading the Panthers. The coaching duo has compiled a 309–143 overall record and made six NCAA Tournament appearances.

According to the event announcement, the Niemans are the only active NCAA Division II women’s basketball coaching staff to have recorded 16 consecutive winning seasons at the same institution.

Nicole Nieman said the opportunity to compete alongside established Division II programs will benefit a young Kentucky Wesleyan roster as it prepares for the upcoming season.

She also emphasized the importance of playing in front of the Panthers’ home crowd and thanked Visit Owensboro for helping bring the event to the community.

A National Basketball Showcase for Owensboro

The Tip-Off Classic also represents an opportunity to showcase Owensboro as a destination for collegiate athletics.

Lucas Daunhauer of Visit Owensboro said hosting the event will give local fans an early look at high-level Division II basketball while providing an opportunity to support Kentucky Wesleyan’s women’s program.

JT Pedley, director of sales for the Owensboro Sportscenter and Owensboro Convention Center, echoed that enthusiasm, highlighting the community’s longstanding connection to Kentucky Wesleyan basketball and the importance of attracting collegiate sporting events to the city.

The women’s event is part of the broader D2 CCA Tip-Off Classic tradition, which dates to 2006. The men’s edition of the 2026 event will be held in Lakeland, Florida.

With eight programs scheduled to compete over two days, the Owensboro edition will offer local basketball fans an early-season look at Division II competition from around the country.

2026 Division II Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Classic Schedule

Friday, November 6
11:45 a.m. — Harding vs. Union
2 p.m. — Wayne State vs. Carson-Newman
4:15 p.m. — Missouri Western State vs. Gannon
6:30 p.m. — Kentucky Wesleyan vs. Roosevelt

Saturday, November 7
11:45 a.m. — Union vs. Wayne State
2 p.m. — Gannon vs. Harding
4:15 p.m. — Roosevelt vs. Missouri Western State
6:30 p.m. — Kentucky Wesleyan vs. Carson-Newman

All games will be played at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Tickets can be purchased through OwensboroTickets.com or at the Sportscenter office. The games will also be streamed on FloSports.

The Tip-Off Classic brings a national Division II basketball showcase to Owensboro while giving the Panthers an opportunity to begin their season at home against quality competition.