EAGLES READY FOR TAKEOFF: OKWU TO HOST NAIA OPENING ROUNDS FOR FIRST TIME; WIN KCAC CHAMPIONSHIP OVER FRIENDS UNIVERSITY
Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s head basketball coach Donnie Bostwick prays with his team following their KCAC Championship win over Friends University, 79-78, last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles won the KCAC championship over Friends University, 79-78, last Tuesday in Bartlesville. The Eagles will host the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship First & Second Rounds on Friday and Saturday for the first time.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Becky Burch
March 9, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Oklahoma Wesleyan University continues to make history under the leadership of head coach Donnie Bostwick.
The Eagles have won five KCAC Tournament titles, six regular-season titles, and appeared in the NAIA national tournament 19 consecutive times—11 under Bostwick. Following a 2009 national championship and a 2024 runner-up finish, the Eagles will now host the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship First & Second Rounds on Friday and Saturday for the first time. Bostwick led the Eagles from 2007 to 2011 and returned in 2017.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Angel Hidalgos (12) follows a loose ball during the Eagles’ KCAC Championship win over Friends University, 79-78, last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Tamaje Izuagbe (11) slams one home during the Eagles’ KCAC Championship win over Friends University, 79-78, last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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As a No. 1 seed, the Eagles face No. 16 seed Southern University at New Orleans (La.) at 6 p.m. at the Mueller Sports Center in Bartlesville. At 8 p.m., No. 8 seed Montana Tech (Mont.) and No. 9 seed Oklahoma City University (Okla.) meet. The winners of the two games play at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Eagles (28-3, 17-2) won the KCAC Championship on Tuesday with a 79-78 win over Friends University (Kan.). Tied at 38 at halftime, the teams traded leads throughout the second half.
"This was two great teams that played the game like a heavyweight championship fight," Bostwick said. "We just traded punches for 40 minutes."
Friends took a 78-76 lead with under a minute to play. OKWU’s Ethan Williams drove through traffic for a layup and was fouled, sinking the free throw with 24 seconds remaining, putting OKWU up 79-78. The Eagles' defense stopped a desperation jumper at the buzzer to seal the win.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Tamaje Izuagbe (11) places OKWU’s name on the KCAC Men’s Basketball Championship bracket following their win over Friends University, 79-78, last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Tamaje Izuagbe (11) and teammates react after winning the KCAC Championship over Friends University, 79-78 last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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Sophomore and KCAC Player of the Year Tamaje Izuagbe scored 34 points with five assists. Williams had 12 points, followed by Jaden Wilson with 10 points and eight rebounds. Yashi McKenzie added seven points, five rebounds, and five assists. Also scoring were Angel Hidalgos with six and Amair Woods with two.
If the Eagles win both games this weekend, they will advance to the NAIA National Championship Finals in Kansas City, Mo., scheduled for March 19-24.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Ethan Williams (1) looks at the basket before sinking the game-winning point to secure the KCAC Championship over Friends University, 79-78 last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s head coach Donnie Bostwick takes down the net during the Eagles’ KCAC Championship last Tuesday over Friends University, 79-78 last Tuesday in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report