They have a one-game lead over Green Bay with one to play. The Phoenix, which has won or shared the crown for 20 straight years, managed to pull out a 45-43 road win against IUPUI to improve to 19-8, 14-3.
After an 11-point fourth-quarter lead was cut to one, Wright State senior Mackenzie Taylor hit two free throws with 10 seconds left, and the Titans (4-24, 2-15) missed a 3-point attempt with one second left.
Simmons became the first WSU player to top 1,000 career rebounds. She now has 1,009 and needs four more points to reach the 1,000-point club.
The Raiders, who won their only other title by tying Green Bay for first in 2016-17, finish the regular season at Oakland (6-22, 3-14) at noon Saturday.
The Phoenix play at last-place UIC at 1 p.m. Saturday.
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