The 2025–26 season will be remembered as one of the greatest in University of Scranton women’s basketball history. The Lady Royals finished 32–1, setting a new program mark for wins while completing the first undefeated regular season in program history and finishing as the National Runner-up.
Under the leadership of head coach Ben O’Brien, Scranton continued its tradition as a national powerhouse while elevating its standard on the biggest stage. The Lady Royals captured the Landmark Conference title and carried that momentum into the NCAA Tournament, where they earned dominant wins over Concordia College, Moorhead, Bates College, Otterbein University and Framingham State University before defeating New York University (NYU) in the national semifinal.
The run to the Final Four marked the 10th appearance in program history, and Scranton advanced to its first national championship game since the 1984–85 season. Along the way, the program extended its streak to 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and recorded a third straight Elite Eight showing. From the opening weeks of the season, the Lady Royals stood out through consistency, discipline and composure. That identity carried through every stage of the year, with strong defensive play, balanced scoring and execution in key moments helping define their historic run.
The semifinal win over NYU stood as a defining moment, as Scranton delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor to secure its place in the national championship game. While the season ultimately ended one step short of a national title, the 2025–26 Lady Royals raised the standard for Scranton women’s basketball and set a benchmark for future teams.
