Northwestern Clinches 2026 GPAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship

(Sioux City, Iowa) – Northwestern College has won the 2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Men's Basketball Tournament after defeating Concordia University in the championship game on Tuesday night in Orange City, Iowa.

No. 2 Northwestern shot 60.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from three to take down No. 4 seed Concordia 102-72. The Bulldogs were held to shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc.

Morningside will receive the GPAC regular season automatic berth to the NAIA National Men's Basketball Championship as the number one seed. The Red Raiders will receive the second automatic berth to the NAIA National Men's Basketball Championship from the GPAC for winning the tournament.

A field of 64 teams will make the NAIA Men's Basketball Postseason this year.  Games will be played at First and Second Round Sites on March 13-14 (four team pods).  The 16 opening round winners will play in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship is set for March 19-24, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, at Municipal Auditorium. 

2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Post-Season Tournament

GPAC Men's Basketball Quarterfinals – Wednesday, February 25
#1 Morningside 101, #8 Hastings 76
#4 Concordia 66, #5 Dordt 60
#3 Mount Marty 74, #6 Briar Cliff 73
#2 Northwestern 112, #7 Dakota Wesleyan 79

GPAC Men's Basketball Semifinals – Saturday, February 28
#4 Concordia 92, #1 Morningside 87
#2 Northwestern 78, #3 Mount Marty 71

GPAC Men's Basketball Championship Tuesday, March 3
#2 Northwestern 102, #4 Concordia 72