PITTSBURGH, Pa. | Women's basketball saw its historic 2025-26 season come to an end Thursday night, falling to defending national champion Grand Valley State 61-39 in the NCAA Division II Final Four.
The Chargers opened the game with a strong defensive effort, holding the Lakers to just 24 percent shooting in the first quarter. Chloe Siegel provided an early spark offensively, knocking down two three-pointers to help UAH stay within one possession after the opening period.
UAH's defense continued to impress in the second quarter, limiting Grand Valley State to 27.7 percent shooting while holding the Lakers without a made three-pointer in the first half (0-for-7). However, the Chargers struggled to find offensive rhythm, making just three field goals in the quarter, two of which came from beyond the arc. Grand Valley State took advantage to build an eight-point lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Lakers pulled away as UAH was unable to regain its offensive momentum. The Chargers were held to 18 total points across the third and fourth quarters, as Grand Valley State secured the 61-39 victory.
Lili Wilken led UAH in scoring with 14 points.
Despite the loss, the Chargers capped off the most successful season in program history. UAH finished with a program-record 32 wins, including 21 conference victories, while also setting records for home wins (20) and NCAA Tournament wins (four).
The Chargers claimed their first-ever Gulf South Conference Regular Season Championship, earned a Top 25 national ranking for the first time in program history, and hosted the NCAA South Regional for the first time.
Individually, Wilken capped her historic season with a program-record 836 points, while the team also collected numerous postseason honors, including conference and national awards for both players and head coach Allen Sharpe.
From cutting down the nets in Huntsville to reaching the Final Four in Pittsburgh, the 2025-26 Chargers established a new standard for UAH women's basketball and delivered a season that will be remembered as a defining chapter in program history.
