WARRIORS DROP THRILLER AT NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
March 23, 2026
Hutchinson, KS – The Indian Hills Men’s Basketball squad suffered a 72-70 defeat to Gulf Coast State College (FL) in the second round of the 2026 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men’s Basketball National Championship Monday. The Warriors conclude the year with a 30-3 overall record.
Despite a first half deficit, the Warriors strung together an impressive showing in the second half to hang with the Commodores. Competing in the team’s 21st all-time national tournament, the Warriors ultimately fell short in the closing minute of play as Gulf Coast State prevailed for the victory.
Sophomore Chaz Watson (Kansas City, MO/Cleveland State) led the way with 20 points while connecting on four three-point shots to go along with six rebounds for the Warriors. Fellow sophomore Taj Au-Duke (Toronto, Canada/Pepperdine) tallied 17 points while filling the stat sheet with eight assists, five rebounds, and a pair of steals.
Sophomore KJ LaMonte (Davenport, IA/New Mexico Highlands) added 13 points on 6-10 shooting while Chiang Ring (Minneapolis, MN/Murray State) delivered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds along with two blocks and two steals on the defensive front.
As a team, the Warriors surpassed 50.0 percent shooting in a game for the 12th time this season after going 29-56 from the floor. The Warriors controlled the offensive matchup in the paint with a 40-28 advantage on the night.
Indian Hills hung tough with the Commodores through the early stages of the opening half, but Gulf Coast eventually pulled away for a double-digit advantage. A pair of three-point shots from Watson, along with a late trey from Au-Duke, brought the Warriors back within striking distance, but Gulf Coast State carried a 41-35 edge into the halftime intermission.
Watson converted a pair of three-point shots in the early stages of the second half only to see Gulf Coast State maintain a marginal lead. Indian Hills eventually battled back to tie the game at 55-all on a layup from LaMonte with 7:36 to go.
Back-to-back buckets from Watson, and a lay-in from LaMonte gave the Warriors a 63-60 lead with under five to play. A 7-0 run from the Commodores put the 14th seeded squad ahead while a late three-point shot proved to be the dagger for the Warriors.
Indian Hills was making its 21st all-time appearance at the national tournament, tied for fifth-most all-time and tied for the most appearances in NJCAA history since 1993.
