a group of ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 basketball players in the gym


The ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 men’s basketball team made program history when they defeated Concordia 81-77 and won their first-ever Golden State Athletic Conference tournament championship on March 6.

It was the first GSAC tournament championship appearance for ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 in 10 years, and it was the first successful of four previous attempts at a win since ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 joined the conference in 1993-94.

Prior to the game, ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 was ranked No. 19 in the latest NAIA poll while Concordia was top-seeded at No. 4. The win improved the Eagles’ record to 25-8 for the season and marked their eighth consecutive win. ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 won all three of their games against Concordia this season, winning twice in a row at the CU arena in Irvine. Previously, ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 won only one game there in the last 10 years.

The GSAC tournament championship was the second major loss Concordia suffered to ÈÕÈÕÅöºÝºÝÔê¾Ã¾ÃÔê2023 in sports this year, as the men’s soccer team earned a GSAC title over Concordia in the fall.

Both the men's and women's basketball teams advanced to the NAIA Tournament, with each making it to the quarterfinal round before being eliminated.