The Sam Houston Bearkats women's basketball team is the women's basketball team that represents Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats are members of Conference USA. Sam Houston joined the Western Athletic Conference on July 1, 2021 after playing the previous 34 seasons in the Southland Conference, the Bearkats played in the WAC until the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Bearkats are currently coached by Ravon Justice.
The Bearkats have played since the 1969âÂÂ70 season. They reached the Southland Tournament finals in 2013 and 2016, losing to Oral Roberts 72âÂÂ66 and Central Arkansas 69âÂÂ62, respectively. They played in the TWIAFAF Texas Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (TAIAW) from 1969 to 1982, the Lone Star Conference (Division II) from 1982 to 1984, and the Gulf Star Conference (Division II) from 1984 to 1987 until they settled into the Southland Conference, starting play there in the 1987âÂÂ88 season. They have reached the WNIT once, in 2013, losing to Tulane 65âÂÂ57. They also participated in the 2012 Women's Basketball Invitational, beating Rice 73âÂÂ55 but losing to Northern Iowa 78âÂÂ69. The most wins the Bearkats have had in one season was 27 in 1981âÂÂ82, with the most Division I wins being in 1987âÂÂ88, 1995âÂÂ96, 2011âÂÂ12 and 2012âÂÂ13, with 18. They have a 575âÂÂ708 all-time record as of the end of the 2015âÂÂ16 season.
The Bearkats have made two postseason appearances, with one being the Women's Basketball Invitational and one being in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. They have never made the NCAA Tournament.
The Bearkats have appeared in the Women's National Invitation Tournament twice. They have a record of 0âÂÂ2.
The Bearkats have appeared in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) once. They have a record of 1âÂÂ1.