The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team captured the 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship Sunday evening, defeating Emory University 75-73 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to secure the first national title in program history.
A basket at the buzzer lifted UMW to the championship, setting off a frenzy on the court, in the stands and at watch parties across the country, including on the Fredericksburg campus, where fans erupted in an explosion of cheers. The victory marks a milestone for the University, representing the first national championship for a Mary Washington men’s team in any sport and the first since women’s tennis captured a title in 1991. The Eagles set program records with 30 wins and a 90.9% winning percentage.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger recognized the team’s achievement on social media, posting, “Congratulations, @UMW_Basketball! You’ve made Fredericksburg and our entire Commonwealth proud!”
The dramatic finish also drew a flurry of national attention, with ESPN, Sports Illustrated and others featuring the game-winning moment. The play earned the No. 1 spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 and was highlighted as a “Must SC” moment.
Mary Washington finished the season with a 30-3 record, capping a historic run that drew widespread support from campus, the Fredericksburg community and beyond.
Read a full recap of the game, including scoring, key plays and statistics, on the Mary Washington Athletics website: UMW Men’s Basketball Claims 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship, 75-73, Over Emory.
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