Lewiston, Idaho | March 13, 2026 — The historic season for the Nelson University Lady Lions came to a close Friday night on the national stage, as Nelson battled No. 15 Montana Tech before falling 87–75 in the First Round of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament at the P1FCU Activity Center.

Despite the final score, the Lady Lions delivered a resilient performance for much of the night, controlling stretches of the game and showing the toughness that defined the best season in program history.

Nelson came out firing early, knocking down perimeter shots and executing efficiently on offense. The Lady Lions shot 50 percent in both the first and second quarters, building momentum behind strong scoring performances from several starters.  The teams traded baskets throughout the opening half, and Nelson carried that momentum into the third quarter. The Lady Lions continued their offensive rhythm, shooting 57 percent in the third period and taking a 65–60 lead into the final quarter. 

Montana Tech responded with a decisive fourth-quarter run. The Orediggers surged offensively, scoring 27 points in the final period, while Nelson was held to 10 points as the home side pulled away late. 

Senior Paris Miller led the Lady Lions with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds, continuing her standout season on the national stage.  Lauryn Scalice added 14 points, connecting on four three-pointers, while Abby Boyce contributed 14 points and seven assists in a strong all-around performance. Kate Miller chipped in 11 points, helping Nelson stretch the defense with timely perimeter shooting. 

As a team, the Lady Lions finished the night 10-of-27 from three-point range and shot nearly 79 percent from the free-throw line, highlighting the offensive balance that carried the program throughout the season. 

Montana Tech was paced by Hadley Humpherys, who scored 27 points, while Brooke Badovinac added 17 to lead the Orediggers' offense.  While the season ends in the national tournament's opening round, the 2025–26 campaign will be remembered as one of the most successful in Nelson Women's Basketball history.

The Lady Lions finished the year 22–7 overall, posting the best record in program history and returning to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2009. Though the final chapter came on the national stage, the legacy of this Lady Lions team has already been written in the record books and the foundation has been laid for the future of Nelson Women's Basketball. INAM!

Nelson University (formerly SA GU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.