LSU Shreveport falls to Ave Maria in Round of 16 at NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 20, 2026) – LSU Shreveport showed resilience, but Ave Maria (Fla.) prevailed 102-98 in the Round of 16 of the 88th Annual Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament.  

 

Closing out a dominant season, the No. 13 Pilots finished with a 28-6 record as No. 10 Ave Maria advanced to the Elite Eight round.

 

The Gyrenes took control at tipoff and maintained a comfortable lead through the first half. Khi Wallace led LSUS, scoring 15 points and collecting seven rebounds. Hayden Brittingham added nine points and five rebounds. Team stats told the story: Ave Maria shot 47.4 percent from the field, 26.7 percent from three-point range, and 100 percent from the free-throw line. The Pilots shot 42.5 percent from the field, 25 percent from three, and 33.3 percent at the line. At halftime, the Gyrenes led 46-38.

 

The second half mirrored the opening period, with Ave Maria dominating on offense. Michael Klekas hit a three-pointer that gave the Gyrenes a 12-point lead at the 15:11 mark. Ave Maria's three-point success maintained its double-digit lead. With 10 minutes left, the Pilots began to close the gap. Key scoring by Brittingham and Thaddeus Johnson helped. Nico Jones made a steal, and Brittingham blocked a shot, bringing the Pilots within four points at 79-75. Johnson and Devonte Austin each made a three-pointer to tie the game at 83 with under seven minutes left. The teams tied again at 87, but crucial plays from Ave Maria put them ahead. The Gyrenes went on a 9-1 run, taking a 99-91 lead, and held on to win 102-98.

 

LSUS was led by four of its starters – Wallace scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Brittingham added 23 points and 11 rebounds. Alexzaye Johnson tallied 22 points, three assists, and two steals, and Thaddeus Johnson scored 13.

 

Ave Maria's starting five all reached double figures. Klekas achieved a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jack Watkins posted his own double-double, tallying 21 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists. Jaylen White added 17 points, while Alex Sherwood contributed 14 points and Jonathan Effertz scored 13.

 

The Pilots' stat line is as follows: 41-of-81 field goals, 7-of-19 three-pointers, 9-of-18 free throws, 36 rebounds, 13 assists, six steals, and three blocks.

 

Ave Maria finished 35-of-69 from the field, 10-of-29 from three, and 22-of-30 on free throws, with 48 rebounds, 17 assists, and five blocks.