1997 NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament

The 1997 NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament was the 16th annual tournament hosted by the NCAA to determine the national champion of Division III women's collegiate basketball in the United States.

NYU Violets defeated Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds in the championship game, 72–70, to claim the Violets' first Division III national title. Marsha Harris went coast-to-coast and made a game winning layup with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game to seal the victory.

The championship rounds were hosted by New York University at the Coles Sports Center in New York City from March 21–22, 1994.

Bracket

 * An asterisk by a team indicates the host of first and second round games
 * An asterisk by a score indicates an overtime period

All-tournament team

 * Marsha Harris, NYU
 * Jennifer Krowlikowski, NYU
 * Allison Berg, Wisconsin–Eau Claire
 * Erika Schmidt, Wisconsin–Eau Claire
 * Kristin Long, Capital