Gannon defeats Lander, 84-61, to win 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship
(RELEASE COURTESY GANNON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS' ISAAC PETKAC, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE CONTENT)
INDIANAPOLIS - The climb is complete. History has been made.
The Golden Knights are National Champions.
Words that, for a Gannon team, have never been uttered in program and school history.
The title is coming home.
A season already ingrained in history cemented itself as the greatest Gannon men's basketball year on record. The Golden Knights, battle tested and fearless, executed a flawless game plan to storm past Lander, SCORE and capture the NCAA DII National Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday. It's the first ever national championship for the program, as well as the first team title in the Gannon Athletic department.
The emotion poured out from everyone wearing Maroon & Gold inside the building the instant the final buzzer sounded. Hundreds of Golden Knight fans made the trip to Indianapolis. Thousands more watched at home in Erie.
Head Coach Easton Bazzoli, in tears, saluted the crowd and took in the moment. He, his players, and coaching staff, had all just accomplished their dream.
"The University deserves this. The community deserves this. We have unique people in Erie, PA, and this team gets to represent everyone in that community. We got to put Gannon on the map a little bit bigger today. This is such a special moment."
Trailing early, Gannon played their style of basketball for the final 35 minutes of the game, using defensive pressure and a dominant run to build a 37-21 halftime lead. The Golden Knights continued to pour it on after the break, extending the margin to more than 20 behind balanced scoring and strong work on the glass. Gannon capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities throughout, never allowing Lander to generate sustained momentum. The Knights closed out an 84-61 victory to secure the NCAA Division II national championship.
They did it for each other. They did it for the decades of tradition, dedication, and commitment to success of Gannon Athletics.
They did it because they knew they could.
So much to make of a history making day in Indianapolis. Here's how it happened:
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Gannon weathered an early back-and-forth start before quickly taking control behind its defense and transition game. After Lander briefly grabbed an early edge, the Golden Knights responded with energy on both ends, highlighted by Pace Prosser turning a steal into a fast-break finish to spark the offense.
From there, Gannon began to settle in offensively. Mackenzie Morgan knocked down a key three-pointer off an offensive rebound to stretch the lead, while the Knights established themselves inside with strong finishes in the paint.
The turning point of the half came during a dominant run midway through, where Gannon created separation through hustle plays and second-chance opportunities in what was a 15-0 run to take a lead they wouldn't relenquish. Offensive rebounds led to extra possessions, and the Knights capitalized with putbacks and aggressive drives to the rim.
Gannon's defense continued to fuel the offense, forcing turnovers and immediately converting them into points on the other end. The Knights built their lead into double digits behind a balanced scoring attack, finding success in transition, from beyond the arc, and in the paint.
By the final minutes of the half, Gannon delivered another push, as a Pace Prosser three pointer as time expired in the half gave Gannon a 37-21 lead into halftime. The Knights controlled the tempo, dominated the glass, and dictated the style of play throughout the opening 20 minutes
Second Half: Gannon came out of the break with the same intensity, quickly putting the game out of reach with a decisive early run. The Knights opened the half by attacking inside, as Lucas Morgan converted a second-chance layup and Precious Idiaru followed with a strong finish in the paint to extend the lead .
Moments later, one of the biggest sequences of the game unfolded. After forcing another turnover, Gannon reset the possession and Pace Prosser buried a three-pointer off an offensive rebound, pushing the lead past 20 and firmly shifting momentum to the Knights .
Gannon continued to answer every Lander push. When the Bearcats connected from deep to try and cut into the deficit, Jaden Calloway responded with a three-pointer of his own to halt any momentum.
The Knights maintained control throughout the half, continuing to convert inside and capitalize on extra possessions. Lucas Morgan added another key basket in the paint, while Prosser finished at the rim to keep the lead firmly intact .
As the game progressed, Gannon's depth and composure took over. The lead grew as large as 23, and the Knights never allowed Lander to mount a serious comeback. Gannon closed things out with confidence, securing an 84-61 victory and the national championship
POSTGAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Easton Bazzoli: "God has been really good to let me coach these guys. They are a joy to be around. They are loaded with competitiveness, but they do it with class and character. I'm truly grateful to be a small part of this title. I'm proud of our guys and proud of our university."
"We talked so early in the season that we could have a year like this. From being able to host the regional, have success there, win two games in Pittsburgh, and now taking home the title here shows how committed they were to the process of winning and dedicating their lives to winning a title. Our players bought in."
"We have an amazing family here at Gannon. I'm shaking hands and hugging people after the game that are tearing up for what it means to Gannon and to Erie. We have the most passionate fan base in the country and I'm beyond thrilled that we could win this both for our basketball family and family back at home."
Guard Pace Prosser: "This was the biggest game of my life, so I knew we needed to show even more emotion. This is the most fun I've ever had, playing this style of basketball. The speed of the game has allowed us to be at our best all season. We've had the freedom to play our game and do it to the best of our ability."
Mackenzie Morgan: "It's about 5:00 am in Australia so I'm thrilled that my family was able to be out and watch this game in person. It's really special to be able to bring this title home. This was a whole team effort. You can't be successful in the system with everyone playing their part. We did that today and we did that all season."
NCAA Division II Elite Eight (RELEASE COURTESY GANNON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS' ISAAC PETKAC, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE CONTENT)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – "How did you stumble into this?"
Said Head Coach Easton Bazzoli, when asked postgame what he would tell his younger self about Friday's accomplishment.
Let's be truthful. There was no stumbling.
This is as real as it gets.
Behind a near-capacity crowd at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, most of whom were dressed in Maroon & Gold, the Golden Knights used a second half rally to beat Oklahoma Baptist, 98-80, and secure a spot in their second-ever NCAA DII National Championship game. It will be the first time since 1987 that Gannon has competed for the national title.
Gannon used a strong second half to pull away, outscoring Oklahoma Baptist 53-41 after taking a 45-39 lead into the break. The Golden Knights shot 44.2 percent from the field and knocked down 11 three-pointers, while controlling the glass with a 55-41 rebounding advantage.
The Aussie twins were not stoppable on Friday night. Lucas Morgan led the way with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Mackenzie Morgan added 20 points, including five three-pointers. Pace Prosser and Precious Idiaru each finished with 17 points as four Golden Knights reached double figures. All four players were in foul trouble at some point during the game but were able to stay away from infractions in the final 20 minutes to help Gannon pull ahead.
With the victory, the Golden Knights also set a program record for wins in a season, with 33. The previous record was set in the 2023-24 season, when Gannon won 32 games and made the Elite Eight.
GU will play the winner of Nova Southeastern and Lander for the NCAA DII National Championship in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m.
POSTGAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Easton Bazzoli: "I'm so lucky and proud to coach this team. There is nothing that they cannot overcome. I thought we struggled a bit in the first half with playing our style of game, but the second half was a tremendous 20 minutes offensively. The crowd brought it tonight. It felt like a home game. We're blessed to be in the NCAA title game and are going to put in a huge week of work to hopefully bring home a championship next weekend."
Guard Lucas Morgan: "When Mackenzie and I are on, we feed off of each other. We've been playing together essentially since we've been born, so we know where each other are at all times. It means everything to be in the National Championship game. I'm so grateful to do this with my brother and my teammates."
Guard Mackenzie Morgan: "We always have confidence in our game, no matter what the score. It shows the toughness of our group. We continue to stick to what has got us here, and that's been effective."
NCAA Division II Elite Eight (RELEASE COURTESY GANNON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS' ISAAC PETKAC, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE CONTENT)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Dominant defense. Timely shooting. The Final Four.
In the opening game of the DII Men's Basketball Elite Eight, Gannon delivered a dominant performance, defeating sixth seed Michigan Tech 75–49 at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, PA. The Golden Knights now advance to the Final Four, the first time they will play in said round since 1987.
Gannon controlled the game from the opening tip and never trailed, building a 9-2 lead in the first few minutes, a 38–21 lead at halftime, and outscored Michigan Tech 37–28 in the second half to secure the win.
The Golden Knights shot 43.6 percent from the field and knocked down seven three-pointers, while limiting Michigan Tech to just 29 percent shooting for the game.
Gannon's defense set the tone early and throughout, holding Michigan Tech scoreless for stretches and forcing difficult looks all afternoon. Pace Prosser led the way with 19 points while Precious Idiaru had 17 with four boards. Gannon outscored Michigan Tech 28-14 in the paint.
Friday's game will be at 6:00 p.m. against the winner of Oklahoma Baptist and Cal State East Bay. GU now is 32-3 on the season and ties a program record for wins in a year, which was set in the 2023-24 season, which ended in an Elite Eight appearance.
POSTGAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Easton Bazzoli: "I've been really proud of the way our guys have been able to respond to both adversity and mistakes we make throughout the season. They've paid so much attention to detail, and it helps in games like this one where the margins are so thin. Our defense was tremendous when it needed to be."
Guard Pace Prosser: "You come to Gannon to play for coach Bazzoli because he knows how to win. I thought we did a great job starting the game on that 9-2 run and never looked back. When our defense is rolling, we can be hard to score against, and I thought that showed today."
Forward Precious Idiaru: "This team is so much fun to play for. I feel like I've been able to be myself all season. We have such a connection between all of us that is so hard to break. We played so fundamentaly sound on defense today and we'll need that again on Friday."
NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championship Game
Gannon defeats IUP, 81-74
For the second time in three seasons, Gannon is advancing to the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight. The Golden Knights defeated IUP in an All-PSAC Atlantic Region Championship Game, 81-74, despite trailing at halftime. GU got out to a 13-2 lead but IUP recovered and took an eight point lead of its own, but Gannon took the lead back with 15:28 to go in the game and held on. GU's Pace Prosser scored 24 points with five rebounds and seven assists and was named Tournament MVP, scoring 70 total points across three contests. Lucas Morgan added 18 points and five rebounds for the Golden Knights. IUP's Dallis Dillard led the Crimson Hawks with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, with Christian Moore (18 points) and Damir Brooks (15 points) also contributing key buckets.
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional - Semifinal Results
IUP defeats Virginia Union, 66-62 (OT)
IUP outlasted Virginia Union in overtime, 66-62, to advance to Tuesday's Atlantic Region Championship Game. The Crimson Hawks, despite having three players fouled out entering OT (including leading scorer Dallis Dillard), held on in large part thanks to the efforts of Christian Moore, who totaled 30 points, six rebounds, five assists, and multiple clutch free throws down the stretch.
Gannon defeats California, 89-73
In a reversal of the result from a week ago in the PSAC Championship Game, this time it was Gannon defeating California, 89-73, to advance to the final 16 in the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament. Gannon's Pace Prosser led GU with 30 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Keondre DeShields (18 points) and Brayden Reynolds (15 points) paced California.
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional - First Round Results
IUP defeats Fairmont St., 89-83
The Crimson Hawks held on to advance past Fairmont St., 89-83, behind D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year Dallis Dillard's 29 points, six steals, and two blocks. IUP will face Virginia Union in the semis, which upset No. 2 seed and defending Atlantic Region champion West Liberty earlier in the day.
Gannon defeats Charleston, 83-58
The Gannon Golden Knights, host of this year's Atlantic Regional, put on a dominant display over Charleston in an 83-58 win, leading by as many as 28 points and forcing 20 turnovers. Pace Prosser led GU with 16 points and three steals, while Layne Sarver added 15 of his own.
California defeats Fayetteville St., 96-83
California's Bryson Lucas went off for 33 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and two steals as Cal beat Fayetteville St., 96-83. Jordyn Buchanan added 23 points and seven rebounds and Brayden Reynolds dished out 13 assists in the win. The Vulcans will face Gannon on Sunday, where it will be a rematch of the PSAC Championship Game from last weekend, which the Vulcans won by a point.
INDIANAPOLIS - A trio of
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference men's basketball programs were selected to compete in the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, as announced by the NCAA late Sunday night.
The No. 1 seed and host in the Atlantic Region is Gannon (28-3 overall), which was the runner-up in Sunday's PSAC Championship Game earlier in the day. The Golden Knights will face No. 8 seed Charleston in the first round.
The No. 4 seed in that same side of the bracket is California (22-8 overall), which was the team that bested Gannon to become PSAC Champions, 80-79. The Vulcans will face No. 5 seed Fayetteville St. in the first round.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 IUP (22-7 overall) squares off against No. 3 seed Fairmont St., with the winner playing the winner of No. 2 seed West Liberty and No. 7 seed Virginia Union in the semifinals.