The 2026 GSAC Men’s Basketball Championship opens Friday with semifinal action featuring the conference’s top four teams competing for a place in Monday’s title game. Campus sites will host both matchups, with winners advancing to the championship at the home court of the highest remaining seed.

All games will stream live on the GSAC Sports Network, and tickets are available at tickets.gsacsports.org.

Game 1 – No. 4 Benedictine Mesa at No. 1 Arizona Christian
February 27 • 6 p.m. PT
Glendale, Arizona

Despite entering as the fourth seed, Benedictine Mesa holds momentum in the season series against top-seeded Arizona Christian after winning both regular-season meetings, including an 89-83 victory in Glendale on Jan. 29.

Arizona Christian (22-6, 13-3 GSAC) earned the regular-season title behind a balanced approach on both ends of the floor. The Firestorm average 80.1 points per game while allowing just 70.4, and they rank among the conference leaders in rebounding margin. Forward Ese Onakpoma leads the offense at 16.1 points per game, with guard Shaud Bradley adding 13.9 points per contest.

Benedictine Mesa (23-5, 11-5 GSAC) enters the semifinal as one of the league’s most efficient offensive teams, averaging 85.2 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field. Guard Isaiah Howard leads a deep Redhawks lineup that features multiple double-digit scorers and a defense allowing just 69.3 points per game.

With Benedictine Mesa already proving it can win on Arizona Christian’s home floor, Thursday’s opener presents one of the tournament’s most intriguing matchups.

Game 2 – No. 3 The Master’s at No. 2 Hope International
February 27 • 7 p.m. PT
Fullerton, California

Second-seeded Hope International hosts The Master’s after sweeping the regular-season series, including a 75-74 win in Fullerton on Feb. 3 in one of the closest games of the conference season.

Hope International (23-5, 13-3 GSAC) relies on efficiency and interior production, averaging 80.4 points per game while holding opponents to 72.8. Aman Haynes (16.4 ppg) and Nick Hopkins (16.1 ppg) pace the Royals, who also own a strong rebounding advantage throughout the season.

The Master’s (19-9, 12-4 GSAC) brings the conference’s highest-scoring offense into the semifinal, averaging 86.5 points per game and knocking down more than 10 three-pointers per contest. Guard Avery Jackson leads all semifinal participants with 19.7 points per game, fueling a fast-paced Mustang attack capable of scoring in stretches.

After two one-possession regular-season games, another tightly contested battle is expected in Fullerton.

Championship Picture
Thursday’s winners advance to the GSAC Championship Game on Monday, March 2, hosted by the highest remaining seed. The tournament champion secures the conference’s automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship.

Watch: GSAC Sports Network
Tickets: tickets.gsacsports.org