CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The stage is set for the 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Men's Basketball Tournament championship game.
The second-seeded Loras College Duhawks picked up a 72-71 win at home this evening over third-seeded Coe College to advance to the championship game.
The fourth-seeded University of Dubuque went on the road tonight to top-seeded Nebraska Wesleyan University and left with a 93-85 victory.
The Duhawks will host the championship game on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. from Lillis Court in Dubuque, Iowa. The winner will receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament. A full preview of the game will be available Saturday morning.
First Round - Tuesday, February 24
No. 5 Buena Vista University (53) at No. 4 University of Dubuque (76)
No. 6 Wartburg College (50) at No. 3 Coe College (66)
Semifinals - Thursday, February 26
No. 4 University of Dubuque (93) at No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan University (85)
No. 3 Coe College (71) at No. 2 Loras College (72)
Championship - Saturday, February 28
No. 4 University of Dubuque at No. 2 Loras College - 7:00 p.m.
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
