Jul. 9—GRAND FORKS — The UND women’s basketball team’s 2025-26 schedule will now include a trip to the tropics.

The Fighting Hawks are heading to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in late November to participate in the Paradise Jam, marking the program’s first-ever appearance in the event.

The Hawks will open play against Boise State on Nov. 27 at 2 p.m., competing in the Harbor Division. On Nov. 28, UND will take on either Tulane or Elon as part of the tournament’s bracket-style format.

Both games will be streamed on ESPN+, while audio will be available on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.

UND’s full 2025-26 schedule has yet to be released. The only other confirmed matchups on the slate are part of the Summit-League Big Sky Challenge. On. Dec. 3, UND will welcome Montana to the Betty. On Dec. 6, the Hawks will travel to Bozeman, Mont., to take on Montana State.

Paradise Jam began in 2000 as a women’s tournament that included four teams from across the country. A men’s tournament was created the following year. Both tournaments have featured a wide variety of teams, from mid-major programs to members of the Big Ten and SEC.

The annual tournament’s format has evolved through the years, though. The latest iteration of the event features 12 teams across three separate divisions.

UND’s Harbor Division includes Elon, Tulane and Boise State. According to the tournament’s website, the Harbor Division “exclusively showcases mid-major teams”.

BYU, Virginia Tech, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Miami of Ohio, Washington State, Marist and LSU will compete in the Island and Reef Divisions.

The event takes place at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands.