The 2016 NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament involved 64 teams playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the NCAA Division II women's college basketball national champion. It began on March 10, 2016, and concluded with the championship game on April 4, 2016.
The first three rounds were hosted by top-seeded teams in regional play. The eight regional winners met for the quarterfinal and semifinals, better known as the "Elite Eight" and "Final Four" respectively, championship rounds for the second-consecutive year at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The championship game, along with the championship game of the Division I and Division III tournaments, were held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In their first season of NCAA postseason eligibility after transitioning from the NAIA, the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps completed an undefeated season by defeating the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves 78âÂÂ73. The only blemish in the Lady Chaps' season was a 95âÂÂ39 exhibition loss to eventual Division I champion Connecticut that did not count toward either team's official record.
Twenty-four teams qualified for the tournament by winning their conference's automatic bid.
The remaining 40 bids to the tournament were given to teams at-large.
Hosted by Virginia Union University at Arthur Ashe Athletic Center
Hosted by Pittsburg State University at John Lance Arena
Hosted by Bentley University at Dana Center
Hosted by Ashland University at Kates Gymnasium
Hosted by Union University at Fred DeLay Gymnasium
Hosted by Limestone College at Timken Center
Hosted by Lubbock Christian University at Rip Griffin Center
Hosted by Azusa Pacific University at Felix Event Center
Quarterfinals and semifinals location: Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls Host: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Championship game location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (along with the Division I and Division III championship games) Hosts: Horizon League and IUPU-Indianapolis