UMW men’s basketball players and head coach Marcus Kahn celebrate with the NCAA Division III National Championship trophy after a 75-73 win over Emory in Indianapolis, securing the first national title in program history. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.
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 and others featuring the game-winning moment. In fact, 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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