The Crusaders won the Mid-Continent Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament every year from 1996 through 2000. In 2001, though the Crusaders won the regular season championship, they lost to Southern Utah in the conference tournament.
From 1996 to 2000, the Crusaders consistently secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament through their Mid-Continent Conference affiliation. However, in 2001, despite winning the regular season championship, they were unable to overcome a loss to Southern Utah in the conference tournament.