Minneapolis, MN – North Central University defended their National Championship and home court, winning the NCCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Title for the second consecutive season. The Rams took down rival Crown College 76-51 in the two sides fourth meeting of 2025-26. Carmello McNeal led North Central with 23 points to help secure the title. See all the NCCAA Division II National Championship results here.
 
Carmello McNeal of North Central University was named the 2026 Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player. To view the full NCCAA All-Tournament Team and all other 2026 awards, visit the link here.

Championship: #5 North Central University – 76 #6 Crown College - 51

• North Central would get inside early and often seeing four different players find layups in the first five minutes of action to get out to an 8-3 advantage. On the other end, the Rams held Crown to 1-6 from the field in the first five minutes of play. 
• Tyler Smith would break a six-minute scoring drought with a layup at the 12:28 to play mark to bring the North Central lead to five, 10-5. Smith would later hit a rare three to make it 15-10 North Central at the under 10 media timeout. 
• With just over seven minutes to play in the first half, Carrington McNeal would hit his first three of the game to increase the Crown advantage to seven, their largest of the game.
• North Central continued to advance their lead with a beautiful pass from Jayden Livingston to Carmello McNeal for two to bring the advantage to double-figures. 
• The Rams defense continued to stifle Crown. North Central would hold their rival to just 25 first half points, 15 coming from Tyler Smith. Crown would shoot under 35% from the field as North Central pushed their lead to 15, 40-25. 
• The Carmello McNeal show continued to start the second half. The senior scored five more points in the first two minutes of the period to increase the Rams lead to 20. McNeal had 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting with 18 minutes to play. 
• Crown continued to struggle from the field as their percentage dropped below 30% with 11 minutes to play. North Central took advantage increasing their lead to 60-34. 
• North Central would cruise in the final 10 minutes and secure the 76-51 victory. The Rams would earn their second consecutive NCCAA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship and their third win against Crown this season. 

About the NCCAA
Established in 1968, the National Christian College Athletic Association uses intercollegiate athletics to further the Great Commission and is committed to equipping student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. The NCCAA currently holds 23 national championship events, along with one national invitational for 88 member schools across 28 states and two Canadian provinces. For more information on the NCCAA, visit our website, thenccaa.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram at @thenccaa.