Gannon basketball wins historic NCAA Division II national championship

Gannon University fans got up at 3 a.m. to take a bus from Erie and eventually wound up at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, hoping to see its school get crowned a national champion after opening doors in 1925.

Gannon wouldn’t leave Indianapolis empty-handed and used a full-court press that left Lander winded in the NCAA Division II National Championship after not scoring in the first 4 minutes, 44 seconds.

All-American guard Pace Prosser drew chants of “MVP! MVP!” after he scored 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, and Gannon captured its first NCAA title in program history after defeating Lander, 84-61.

How proper. Prosser was voted the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

The No. 3-ranked offense in the country went through an early dry spell, but its relentless effort and its full-court press never wavered during the entire 40 minutes to write the final page of the defining 2025-26 season in Erie.

“I know a lot of people say brotherhood on other teams, but we are all about it,” Prosser said to CBS Sports after the game. “That’s what we truly are.”

Gannon coach Easton Bazzoli was surrounded by players with a towel over his head and reflected on the support the program after capturing the NCAA Division II title in his second season.

“The university deserves it,” Bazzoli said to CBS sports. “They care. We have unique people in Erie, Pennsylvania. These guys get the opportunity to represent all of them, and it means the world. We have got incredible support, alumni, family. They get to put Gannon on the map a little bit bigger, and the university and these guys deserve it.”

Bench ignites offense for Gannon

Swarming the basketball and playing up-tempo proved to be the key for Gannon even when it shots weren’t falling. It got to a point where both Gannon and Lander combined for more blocks (seven) than field goals (four) with 12:54 to go in the first half.

The bench play of Gannon led by Lucas Sekasi and Jaeden Galloway helped weather the early drought. Sekasi scored 13 points, Galloway added seven points, and both players added two blocks.

Gannon found its shooting rhythm and went on a 15-0 run midway through the first half, and its lead extended swelled to 26 points.

Australian twins help complete title run for Gannon

Sydney, Australia, native twins Mackenzie and Lucas Morgan were equally efficient. Mackenzie scored 12 points, shot 3-of-3 from 3-point range and grabbed seven rebounds. Lucas added 11 points on 5-for-11 shooting.

Gannon had a balanced effort that came with some early hiccups. Starting forward Precious Idiaru overcame two missed 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds, with his twin brother Promise at Gainbridge to support him in the bleachers.

The Golden Knights played in the 1987 NCAA Division II championship game against Kansas Wesleyan. After 39 years of waiting, Gannon arrived in Indianapolis. And it returns home as crowning kings from Erie.