General | 3/9/2026 7:47:00 AM
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – What began as a day filled with disappointment ended with good news for the Gannon men's basketball team. The Golden Knights have not only been chosen to compete in the NCAA Division II Tournament but will serve as the host for the upcoming Atlantic Regional.
Second-year head coach
Easton Bazzoli's squad was denied a third straight PSAC championship in heartbreaking fashion. Holding a 79-77 lead over California (Pa.) the Golden Knights were whistled for a foul on a 3-point attempt with 2.1 seconds. Three free throws later Gannon had its 15-game winning streak snapped by an 80-79 score.
Hours later they were rewarded for a season of excellence as the number one seed in the Atlantic Region. Gannon will make its third consecutive trip to the Atlantic Regional and will host the regional for the second time in three years.
Gannon will be making its third straight trip to NCAA Tournament and 28th overall. The Golden Knights reached the Elite Eight in 2024 and last year advanced to the regional championship game. They enter the Atlantic Regional with a 28-3 record.
The Golden Knights will face No. 8 Charleston (WV) in the first round. The Golden Eagles are members of the Mountain East Conference and come in with a 19-9 record.
The semifinals could feature a rematch of Sunday's PSAC Championship game. California (Pa.) (22-8) was awarded the number four seed and will face No. 5 seed Fayetteville State, the CIAA champion, in the opening round. The Broncos own a 23-6 record with 17 straight wins.
Mountain East Conference champion West Liberty (27-4), the 2025 Atlantic Regional champion, earned the number two seed. The Hilltoppers are making their 17th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and will face No. 7 seed Virginia Union (24-5) out of the CIAA in a game of starkly contrasting styles. West Liberty ranks second in Division II in scoring offense, just ahead of Gannon, while Virginia Union is the top defensive squad in Division II.
The final first round game showcases No. 3 seed Fairmont State against No. 6 seed Indiana (Pa.). Fairmont State (26-5) dropped a 93-88 decision on Sunday to West Liberty in the MEC Championship game. IUP lost to Gannon 99-85 in Saturday's PSAC semifinals and come in at 22-7.
The eight regional winners will move on to the NCAA Div. II Elite Eight in Pittsburgh, Pa. at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on March 25. The semifinals are also in Pittsburgh on March 27 before the 2026 NCAA Div. II Championship game moves to Indianapolis, Ind. That takes place on April 5.
