NCAA announces women's basketball moving to four 10-minute quarters

The women's game is going to look considerably different next season.

Among a number of rule changes announced for men's and women's basketball on Monday, the NCAA revealed that women's basketball will feature four 10-minute quarters as opposed to the traditional format of two 20-minute halves.

The NCAA said in a statement that the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee believes the new format will enhance the flow of the game.

In addition, rules regarding team fouls will shift towards a more NBA-style format, with teams reaching the bonus and shooting two free throws upon the fifth team foul in each quarter. Under the previous rules, teams reached the double-bonus after 10 team fouls in each half, but shot a one-and-one bonus on the seventh team foul.

One distinction from NBA rules, however, will see a team that reaches the bonus during the fourth quarter remain in the bonus during any subsequent overtime periods.