Catch the Excitement on the Court Next Week at the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament
After two years, fans are welcome back to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Women’s Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as Hoops in the Heartland, on March 10-13, 2022, at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. Get ready for exciting action on the court as the tournament tips off on Thursday, March 10 at 4:02 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the TaxSlayer Center box office or online at www.taxslayercenter.com. Tickets are $12, $20, or $25 per day or $65 for reserved seat All-Session tickets. For complete information on the tournament, go to www.mvcquadcities.com or download the Hoops in the Heartland App.
The tournament runs through Sunday, March 13 when the Championship Game is played at 1:02 p.m. The 2022 MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament will make Conference history, as the title game will be aired on ESPNU for the first time. The first eight tournament contests will be shown exclusively on ESPN+.
Theme Games and Fan Hangouts are Back
Not only will there be exciting action on the court, but there are also themed games, concession specials, and designated Fan Hangouts throughout the tournament. Visit Quad Cities, TaxSlayer Center, and Missouri Valley Conference have worked together to create an atmosphere of fun for fans of all ages.
Fan Hangouts: Each MVC school has chosen a Fan Hangout in downtown Moline where their fans can meet before and after their games. Those locations include:
- Bradley – Pour Bros.
- Drake – River House (2nd floor)
- Evansville – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse (banquet room)
- Illinois State – VIP’s Corner Bar & Grill
- Indiana State – Bad Boyz Pizza & Pub
- Loyola – River House Bar & Grill (1st floor)
- Missouri State – Bier Stube
- Northern Iowa – Backwater Jacks inside Stoney Creek Hotel
- Southern Illinois – Green Tree Brewery at the TaxSlayer Center
- Valparaiso – Bent River Brewing Company
March 10-13 – Wear Your Favorite Team Shirt: Children 8th grade and under can get half-price tickets at the door when they wear a team jersey, t-shirt, or sweatshirt to any game. The offer is good for any game and children must be accompanied by an adult.
March 10 – Frothy Thursday: Courtesy of the TaxSlayer Center, concessions will sell $2 beers during the two games.
March 11 – Bingo Games: The MVC presents their free Bingo Games during Friday’s games. Fans can play for a chance to win prizes such as MVC school branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, stuffed animals, and more.
March 12 – $1 Popcorn and Fan Fun Zone: During Saturday’s games, not only is $1 popcorn on the menu, but the Fan Fun Zone is open to the public and features games and activities, and an opportunity to take photos with the MVC Championship Trophy. Game times on Saturday are 1:32 p.m. and 4:02 p.m.
March 13 – Championship Game & Fan Fun Zone: Don’t miss the excitement as the final two teams compete for the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Championship. Stop at the Fan Fun Zone for activities before and during the game. Game time is 1:02 p.m.
“We are thrilled to serve as host of the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “This championship event is important to the Quad Cities regional destination and continues to make a positive impact and add value to our sports landscape. Also, this year is truly special because the championship game will be nationally televised for the first time in history, and this marks the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. We encourage the community to be a part of this signature event and support Hoops in the Heartland.”
Game times for this year’s tournament include Opening Round Session – Thursday, March 10 at 4:02 p.m. and 7:02 p.m.; Quarterfinal Session #1 Friday, March 11 at 12:02 p.m. and 2:32 p.m.; Quarterfinal Session #2 Friday, March 11 at 6:02 p.m. and 8:32 p.m.; Semifinal Session Saturday, March 12 at 1:32 p.m. and 4:02 p.m.; Championship Sunday, March 13 at 1:02 p.m.
This is a great opportunity for basketball enthusiasts of all ages to watch these talented, collegiate athletes on the court. The Missouri Valley Conference consists of 10 diverse institutions across four states, whose members include Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana State, Loyola, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, and Valparaiso.
About the Missouri Valley Conference
One of the premier women’s basketball leagues in the country, the MVC has seen an average of four league teams participate in postseason play in the last 22 seasons, including six teams reaching the postseason in 2020-21. The Valley has earned multiple NCAA Tournament bids in 13 different seasons, including a pair of bids in the 2021 NCAA Tournament and a second-straight Sweet Sixteen appearance by Missouri State. The league has also had two Final Four teams (Missouri State, in both 1992 and 2001), a WNIT champion (Missouri State, 2005) and three WNIT semifinal appearances (Illinois State, in 2011, 2010 and 2009).
The history of Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball is filled with notable alumni, including the former NCAA all-time leading scorer (Jackie Stiles, Missouri State, 1998-2001) and the NCAA’s all-time leader in career rebounding average (Wanda Ford, Drake, 1983-86), both members of the league’s Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition to Stiles and Ford, eight other women’s basketball figures have been inducted into the MVC’s Hall of Fame, including Melody Howard and Cheryl Burnett (Missouri State), Cathy Boswell, Kristi Cirone, Jill Hutchison and Charlotte Lewis (Illinois State), Carole Baumgarten, Lorri Bauman Carla Bennett (Drake) and Cindy Scott (Southern Illinois).
The league consists of 10 diverse institutions across four states, whose members include Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana State, Loyola Chicago, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Valparaiso. Dallas Baptist is an affiliate member for baseball, Little Rock is an affiliate member in women’s swimming and diving, and Stony Brook is an affiliate member in women’s tennis. Conference members have worked together to focus on common goals and objectives, putting a high value on league harmony while continuing to invest in athletic programs to compete at the highest level. The Valley brand remains very strong, both regionally and nationally, and the great athletic tradition of The Valley remains a compelling force in recruiting student-athletes and in marketing all the MVC programs. For more information, visit www.mvc-sports.com.
