WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College capped a memorable 2025–26 men's basketball season with a 21-10 overall record, highlighted by a strong midseason surge and a return to the NAIA National Tournament.
The Moundbuilders finished 14-8 in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play, posting an 11-3 record at home and going 8-6 on the road. After opening conference play with a 2-4 mark, Southwestern responded with one of the most impressive stretches in the NAIA, winning 13 of its next 15 games to vault into the upper half of the KCAC standings.
During that run, Southwestern recorded several marquee victories, including a home win over No. 14 Friends University, a dominant 77-62 road victory at (RV) Bethel College, and a statement 83-80 win over then-No. 3 Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The Moundbuilders ultimately finished fifth in the conference standings before continuing their momentum in the KCAC Tournament. Southwestern opened postseason play with another victory over Bethel in North Newton before falling to eventual tournament champion Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Southwestern's strong season earned the program an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament as the No. 9 seed. The Moundbuilders battled Benedictine University Mesa in Waxahachie, Texas, but fell just short in a 61-58 first-round loss.
The Moundbuilders were one of the most efficient teams in the conference throughout the season. Southwestern led the KCAC in field goal percentage (.505) and 3-point percentage (.393), while also dominating the glass with a +11.1 rebounding margin, which ranked first in the NAIA. The team averaged 80.0 points per game while holding opponents to 69.5.
Wyatt Bell earned First Team All-KCAC honors after leading the team with 18.3 points per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three-point range. Bell also averaged 5.1 rebounds per game and finished the season with 511 total points.
Evan Barber was named Third Team All-KCAC after averaging 14.4 points per game while knocking down a team-high 85 three-pointers at a 42.9 percent clip. Barber also added 92 assists during the season.
Nigel John earned All-KCAC Honorable Mention honors after averaging 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 67.3 percent from the field.
Southwestern will graduate six seniors from this year's squad: Jayden Bridgeman, Isaac Hoberecht, Emery Eberhard, Austin Hilton, Zach Hidalgo and Bell.
With a 21-win season in the books and another national tournament appearance secured, the Moundbuilders now turn their attention to the 2026-27 recruiting class as they look to reload following another successful campaign.
