INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The semifinals and championship game of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament will return to Indianapolis in 2025, the NCAA announced Tuesday.

The games will be played in Hinkle Fieldhouse on the Butler campus. The semifinals are March 31 and the title game April 2. First- and second-round games and quarterfinals will continue to be played at campus sites.

The NCAA created the 32-team WBIT as part of its response to an independent 2021 gender-equity report that found there were longstanding disparities between men’s and women’s postseason opportunities.

Illinois won the inaugural tournament, beating Villanova 71-57 last March.

“Indianapolis did an outstanding job hosting our inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament,” said Lynn Holzman, vice president of women’s basketball. “We are thrilled to be returning to Hinkle Fieldhouse in 2025. The enthusiasm and support from the local community for women’s basketball in Indianapolis continues to grow. We are excited to build on the momentum for all of women’s basketball and from this past year’s WBIT as we look forward to crowning a 2025 WBIT champion.”

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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball