The No. 1 Freed-Hardeman University Lions claimed an 80-72 victory over the (RV) Bethel (Kan.) College Threshers to win the Henderson Regional Presented by the Bramblett Group of the 2026 NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship Second Round.
The Lions will advance to the round of 16 in Kansas City, Missouri, for the fourth consecutive season. The Lions await No. 20 Northwestern (Iowa) College, who drew a four-seed in the tournament. Tipoff from Municipal Auditorium is at 5 p.m. March 19.
The No. 2 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions used a 23-point fourth quarter to hoist the 2026 NAIA Women’s Basketball Championship First and Second Round Presented by Ballogy trophy. Playing in front of their home fans in the Henderson regional presented by E&T Contracting, the Lady Lions got the 73-64 victory over the No. 9 seed Bethel (Ind.) University Pilots to advance to the round of 16.
The Lady Lions will travel nearly 800 miles to face a very familiar face. Mid-South Conference foe (RV) Georgetown won their own regional and FHU will now line up with the No. 5 seed in the round of 16 at the Tyson Events Center. Tipoff is at 1 p.m., March 19, from Sioux City, Iowa.
See the complete stories on page 11-A.
