The Lander Bearcats achieved a historic milestone by securing their first-ever Final Four appearance in men's basketball after defeating Daemen University 77-74 in the NCAA Division II Tournament quarterfinals. A powerful second half from Greyson Pritzl and Navaughn Maise, who combined for 31 points, propelled Lander from a 10-point deficit. Pritzl scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, as they rallied to clinch their 14th consecutive victory. They will face defending champions Nova Southeastern on Friday night.

By the Numbers
  • Pritzl scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half.
  • Combined, Pritzl and Maise scored 31 points in the second half.
State of Play
  • Lander's impressive run includes 14 consecutive wins, improving their record to 29-5.
  • Daemen's loss marked just their third defeat in two years, ending their season at 33-2.
What's Next

Lander will compete against top-seeded Nova Southeastern in the NCAA Division II semifinals on Friday night. The outcome of this match could lead to their first national championship appearance on Easter Sunday.

Bottom Line

The Bearcats' extraordinary journey from a mediocre last season reflects their growth and teamwork. Their focus and resilience shine as they advance to potentially win a national title.