Nelson Men Kick Off Tournament at 8:15AM!

The Nelson Warriors' Men's Basketball team is headed back to the NCCAA Division I National Championship Tournament, hosted by College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO, for the third consecutive season.

As the #7 seed in the field, the Warriors, winners of last season's National Championship, will open tournament play on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 8:15 AM Arizona time (10:15 AM CST) against the #2 seed Hannibal-LaGrange University – last season's third place team in the tournament.

This season has been a remarkable resurgence for Nelson under head coach Kole Ebert. After a mid-season skid dropped them below .500, the Warriors caught fire late, reeling off a six-game winning streak to close the regular season, capture the SWS West Regional Championship with a thrilling 81-80 win over Justice, and earn their third consecutive NCCAA National Tournament berth.

Led by Conference MVP Zoe Holman (16.3 ppg) and a balanced core that includes seniors Orlando Gonzales and Terrin Ross, both All-Conference First Team selections, the Warriors have blended explosive scoring, veteran leadership, and defensive grit to position themselves for a deep postseason run.

Hannibal-LaGrange University enters as one of the top seeds after finishing the regular season 19-8. The Trojans fell in the AMC Tournament championship game to Williams Baptist University (Ark.) on February 28, losing 77-72 and snapping a six-game winning streak. Hannibal boasts four double-figure scorers, led by freshman phenom forward Davaughn Hueitt, who averaged 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in an impressive debut season.

The game will br broadcast for students on campus, but you can further support your Warriors from afar by following live stats here, or watching here (although be aware that to watch requires a paid subscription).

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.