KANSAS CITY, MO. — Using their stout defense, Freed-Hardeman University’s Lions held off the Langston Lions to bring home the Maude Naismith Trophy and the Big Red Banner for the second time in three years as 2026 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Champions.
For both sets of Lions, it was rematch of the 2024 title game between Freed-Hardeman, a Henderson, Tenn., university associated with Churches of Christ, and Langston, a Historically Black College and University in central Oklahoma. Freed-Hardeman won that contest, 71-67. This time, FHU (35-1) was stunned from the jump with Langston scoring the first four points of the game. FHU’s largest lead in the first half was four points. For every basket FHU would make, Langston was right there with an answer.
“We wanted to win the last 10 minutes,” coach Drew Stutts said. “We knew that if we kept it close that we could just grind it out at the last 10 because of our depth.”
Langston (29-8) scored the first six points of the second half, but FHU battled back and built a 10-point lead. Late in the game, Langston scored five points in 12 seconds to pull within one possession. But FHU senior wing Lane Lauderbaugh coolly sank two free throws to keep the game out of reach, 76-71.
“It’s so good to see coaches do things the right way,” said FHU President David Shannon, who attended the game. “It’s just great to see the team and to be able to see so many fans that come and have that experience together.”
Compared to the 2024 title, “This one feels special,” said Phil Horton, a graduate student and forward for FHU. “I know how hard it is to win it once, so winning it twice is amazing.” Horton, who ended the game with 18 points and six rembounds, was named the Chuck Taylor Tournament Most Valuable Player.
“I love Phil Horton,” Stutts said. “He has allowed me to coach him hard and, boy, did it pay off today.”
Matt Cook, a Bible professor at FHU, also made the trip to Kansas City.
“I had a couple of freshmen in my Life of Christ class this fall, thinking they were just freshmen and weren’t going to play. But they played a big part and so I’m really proud of my freshmen Caleb (Thomas) and Rodney (Henderson).”
The win caps FHU’s most successful season in wins, 35, win percentage, 97.2, and wins in a row at 32 and counting. Athletic director Jonathan Estes praised Stutts and assistant coach Grant Burns for raising the standard at FHU. “It’s really impressive what they’ve been able to do with different players,” Estes said.
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