Gannon University Defeats Lander in Division II Championship Game

Golden Knights claim first national title, ending Bearcats' historic run

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:25am

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The Gannon University Golden Knights defeated the Lander University Bearcats 84-61 in the Division II national championship game. Gannon's Pace Prosser led all scorers with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Lander's Dylan Canoville recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Why it matters

This was the first NCAA Division II national championship appearance for both programs. Gannon, led by second-year coach Easton Bazzoli, claimed the title three years after a three-win season, while Lander, the No. 5 seed, made a Cinderella run to the final before falling short.

The details

Gannon jumped out to a 20-9 lead with a 15-0 run in the first half, fueled by 3-pointers from Prosser and Layne Sarver. Lander cut the deficit to 10 points, but Prosser hit two more 3-pointers to give Gannon a 37-21 halftime advantage. The Golden Knights extended their lead to as many as 21 points in the second half, and the Bearcats were unable to mount a comeback.

  • The championship game was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Pace Prosser

A senior forward for Gannon University who led all scorers with 28 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game.

Dylan Canoville

A junior forward for Lander University who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

Easton Bazzoli

The second-year head coach of the Gannon University Golden Knights, who led the team to its first-ever NCAA Division II national championship.

Omar Wattad

The head coach of the Lander University Bearcats, who led his team to the program's first-ever NCAA Division II national championship game appearance.

Gannon University

The NCAA Division II basketball program located in Erie, Pennsylvania, which won its first national championship in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“This team has worked so hard to get to this point, and I'm so proud of what we've accomplished. Winning a national championship is a dream come true.”

— Easton Bazzoli, Head Coach, Gannon University

“We gave it our all, but Gannon was the better team today. I'm still incredibly proud of what this team has achieved this season.”

— Omar Wattad, Head Coach, Lander University

What’s next

Gannon University will look to defend its national championship next season, while Lander University will aim to build on its historic run and return to the Division II tournament.

The takeaway

Gannon University's first-ever national championship victory caps off a remarkable turnaround for the program, while Lander University's Cinderella run to the title game showcases the parity and competitiveness of NCAA Division II basketball.