Denison guaranteed that Division III women's basketball will have a new champion by surprising No. 5 Hope 82-66. The Big Red rolled out to a 40-18 half time lead, holding the Flying Dutchmen to 22% shooting. Caitlyn Krupka scored 19 points, including shooting five for eight from behind the arc, to lead Denision into the second round where they will face No. 9 DePauw.

Last year Hope beat Denison by 21 points in the first round of the tournament.