The American Southwest Conference enters the 2026-27 women’s basketball season with Hardin-Simmons looking to defend its place at the top.
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The Cowgirls captured both the regular-season and tournament championships in 2025-26 and return reigning ASC Player of the Year Jacqueline Berry.
East Texas Baptist , McMurry and Howard Payne headline a group of challengers hoping to close the gap, while Mary Hardin-Baylor and Schreiner will look to make their own moves in the standings.
With a new season approaching and several returning all-conference players to watch, the ASC has a compelling race ahead. Here are five things to know before tipoff.
1. Hardin-Simmons Is The Preseason Favorite
Hardin-Simmons enters 2026-27 as the team everyone else will be chasing. The Cowgirls finished the 2025-26 season with a 22-5 overall record, claimed the ASC regular-season title with a 5-1 conference mark and won the conference tournament championship.
The program’s success earned it the top spot in the preseason coaches’ poll, receiving 71 points and 11 first-place votes. Head coach Kendra Whitehead will look to keep the Cowgirls among the conference’s elite after guiding the team to another championship season.
Hardin-Simmons also returns key contributors, including Jacqueline Berry and MaeSyn Gay. Berry was named the 2025-26 ASC Player of the Year after averaging 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. She also led the conference with 2.5 steals per game and was named tournament MVP.
The Cowgirls have established a winning formula, combining scoring, rebounding and defensive pressure. If their returning players can maintain that standard, Hardin-Simmons will have a strong chance to defend both its regular-season and tournament crowns.
ASC Preseason Poll
- Hardin-Simmons (11), 71 points
- East Texas Baptist, 54 points
- McMurry (1), 40 points
- Mary Hardin-Baylor, 36 points
- Howard Payne, 34 points
- Schreiner, 17 points
2. East Texas Baptist And McMurry Are Ready To Challenge
East Texas Baptist and McMurry enter the season as two of the strongest challengers to Hardin-Simmons.
East Texas Baptist finished second in the preseason poll with 54 points after posting a 16-9 overall record last season. The Tigers won the 2025 ASC tournament championship before returning to the postseason in 2026. Their season ended in a narrow 60-58 semifinal loss to Howard Payne, showing how little separated the contenders in the conference tournament.
The Tigers return several players identified among the ASC’s 2026-27 players to watch, including Macey Jones and Aubrey Marjason. Their experience gives ETBU a foundation to make another run at the championship.
McMurry was selected third in the preseason poll with 40 points after finishing 18-9 overall in 2025-26. The War Hawks received one first-place vote, an indication that at least one poll voter sees them as a legitimate contender for the top spot.
McMurry will aim to translate last season’s strong overall record into a championship push. With East Texas Baptist looking to bounce back from its semifinal exit and McMurry eager to move up the conference ladder, Hardin-Simmons should face plenty of competition.
3. Howard Payne Has Momentum After A Championship-Game Run
Howard Payne proved it could compete with the ASC’s best by reaching the 2026 tournament championship game.
The Yellow Jackets defeated East Texas Baptist 60-58 in the semifinals in a tightly contested matchup. Caitlyn Panuco converted crucial free throws late, helping Howard Payne secure the victory and advance to the final.
The championship game was a tougher challenge. Hardin-Simmons built a 41-19 halftime lead and eventually won 73-46, ending Howard Payne’s title hopes. Even so, the Yellow Jackets’ run demonstrated their ability to deliver under postseason pressure.
Howard Payne finished fifth in the 2026-27 preseason poll with 34 points, just two behind fourth-place Mary Hardin-Baylor. The team returns key contributors, including Hope Hermesmeyer, a returning All-Conference selection, and Caitlyn Parsons, the 2025-26 ASC Newcomer of the Year.
Parsons averaged 11.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last season. Her work on the glass and Hermesmeyer’s production give Howard Payne important pieces as it tries to turn another competitive season into a championship opportunity.
4. Jacqueline Berry Headlines A Strong Group Of Players To Watch
The ASC has several returning standouts who could shape the conference race, but Berry stands out after earning the league’s top individual honor.
The Hardin-Simmons guard/forward led the conference in scoring at 14.9 points per game while contributing 6.7 rebounds per game. She also earned tournament MVP honors after finishing the championship-game victory over Howard Payne with 13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Other returning players will be important to watch. MaeSyn Gay gives Hardin-Simmons another experienced contributor, while East Texas Baptist returns Jones and Marjason. McMurry’s Ashlynn Galvin and Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Natalia Galvan are also listed among the conference’s players to watch.
Mary Hardin-Baylor will look to improve behind Galvan, who was selected to the ASC All-Freshman Team last season. The Cru were picked fourth in the preseason poll with 36 points, narrowly ahead of Howard Payne.
Schreiner rounds out the six-team poll with 17 points. The Mountaineers have multiple players to watch, including Lynnashia Brooks, Gracie Garcia and Maddy Kincaide. Their progress will be worth monitoring as the team looks to climb the standings.
5. November Starts The Race For The ASC Crown
The road to the 2027 ASC championship begins with nonconference competition in November. Those early games will give teams a chance to test new rotations, build chemistry and prepare for the demands of conference play.
Schreiner is scheduled to open its campaign on the road against Milwaukee School of Engineering. The full ASC women’s basketball composite schedule provides the latest matchups and dates as the season approaches.
The six-team conference has a clear favorite in Hardin-Simmons, but the preseason poll suggests the race behind the Cowgirls could be competitive. East Texas Baptist will aim to reclaim the championship it won in 2025, McMurry will look to build on its 18-win season, and Howard Payne will try to turn its recent tournament success into another title opportunity.
Mary Hardin-Baylor and Schreiner will also have a chance to shake up the standings. With conference games carrying major weight in determining the postseason picture, every matchup could matter.
Hardin-Simmons has the championship pedigree and returning star power to lead the way, but the ASC’s challengers have enough experience and talent to make the 2026-27 season an intriguing race.
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