OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES TAKE ON LANGSTON AT NAIA NATIONAL TOURNEY FRIDAY
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Amari Woods (2) moves the ball against a SUNO player during last week’s NAIA National Championship Tournament first-round play in Bartlesville. The Eagles take on Langston University at 5 p.m. Friday in Kansas City.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
March 17, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
When Oklahoma Wesleyan University hired Donnie Bostwick in 2007 as its head men’s basketball coach, it wasn’t just like catching lightning in a bottle.
But it was Bostwick that unleashed a storm of spectacular opponent-ripping success that continues 19 years later to illuminate - with blinding blast - the NAIA universe.
That universe will rule Kansas City this weekend in the NAIA Final 16.
OKWU (30-3) is set to face Langston in a winner-only advance showdown at 5 p.m. Friday in Kansas City.
The winner will advance to Saturday’s Elite Eight round (quarterfinals).
Adding fuel to OKWU’s determination is its desire to beat Langston for the first time ever.
In their previous two meetings, Langston won, 73-70 (November 2025) and 80-67 (December 2024).
Langston is 26-7 coming into Friday’s showdown.
OKWU is fighting to get back to the NAIA championship game for the second-straight season and hopefully earn Bostwick his first national title since 2009.
OKWU depends heavily on Tamage Izuagbe (16.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg) to lead the scoring list.
Several other players are capable of significant scoring outputs, including Yashi McKenzie (9.98 ppg), Nick Bene (9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Humberto Kentish Jr. (7.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Ethan Williams (7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and others.
With so much quality depth, experience, desire, and momentum, it appears the Eagles could swoop into the Elite Eight and earn a spot in Monday’s Final Four.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Tamaje Izuagbe (11) gets tangled up with a SUNO player during last week’s NAIA National Championship Tournament first-round play in Bartlesville. The Eagles take on Langston University at 5 p.m. Friday in Kansas City.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports