The Championships open with the top two seeds on both sides beginning play. At noon, Harding faces Southern Arkansas in a women’s quarterfinal. The Lady Bisons won both meetings by double figures and closed the regular season on a five-game win streak. At 2:15 p.m. No. 2 Ouachita Baptist plays No. 7 Northwestern Oklahoma State to start the men’s half of the draw. The Tigers earned their highest seed since 2016. The Tigers and Rangers boast the league’s top four scorers in Cam McDowell and Max Alexander – from Northwestern Oklahoma State – against the Ouachita tandem of Hobert Grayson and Shaun Williams
The two No. 1 seeds hit the court in the evening session. Southern Nazarene’s women and men each captured outright regular-season titles. The Crimson Storm women draw East Central, at 5:45 p.m., while the men play Arkansas Tech, at 8 p.m., in a rematch of last year’s final – won by the Wonder Boys. Tech won its final three games, including a winner-take-all affair against SAU on Saturday, to make the field. ECU handed the Crimson Storm their last loss, 44-38, on Saturday, February 15.
Friday’s quartet of games tips at noon with a women’s doubleheader of No. 4 Southeastern Oklahoma State against No. 5 Southwestern Oklahoma State, followed by No. 3 Oklahoma Baptist and No. 6 Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Savage Storm earned a top-four seed for the first time since 2021. They swept the regular season meeting with the Lady Bulldogs for the first time since 2020. The Bison won their final five games to secure their first 20-win season since joining the GAC in 2015.
In the evening billing, No. 4 Oklahoma Baptist takes on No. 5 Henderson State, at 5:45 p.m. with No. 3 Harding and No. 6 Southwestern Oklahoma State slotted for 8 p.m. The Bison and Reddies each return to the tournament field following a year’s absence. The two played a pair of one-possession games with both winning on their respective home floors. Harding procured a top-three seed for the first time since 2016. The Bisons and Bulldogs split in the regular season as both successfully defended their own home courts.
Semifinal Saturday opens at noon with the two women’s semifinals followed by the men’s semifinals at 5:45 p.m. On Sunday, the women’s final tips at 1 p.m. with the men’s title clash scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
The GAC Sports Network will broadcast all 14 contests. Joey McWilliams and Luke McConnell will call all the action over the four days while Cierra Clark will handlee sideline duties and postgame interviews. Fans can purchase session passes for $12 each. For complete coverage and additional information, visit the GAC Basketball Championships Central page
2025 GAC Basketball Championships
Thursday, March 6 – Quarterfinals:
Women’s Game #1: Noon – #2 Harding vs. #7 Southern Arkansas
Men’s Game #1: 2:15 PM – #2 Ouachita Baptist vs. #7 Northwestern Oklahoma State
Women’s Game #2: 5:45 PM – #1 Southern Nazarene vs. #8 East Central
Men’s Game #2: 8:00 PM – #1 Southern Nazarene vs. #8 Arkansas Tech
Friday, March 7 – Quarterfinals:
Women’s Game #3: Noon – #4 Southeastern Oklahoma State vs. #5 Southwestern Oklahoma State
Women’s Game #4: 2:15 PM – #3 Oklahoma Baptist vs. #6 Northwestern Oklahoma State
Men’s Game #3: 5:45 PM – #4 Oklahoma Baptist vs. #5 Henderson State
Men’s Game #4: 8:00 PM – #3 Harding vs. #6 Southwestern Oklahoma State
Saturday, March 8 – Semifinals:
Women’s Game #5: Noon – Winner Game #2 vs Winner Game #3
Women’s Game #6: 2:15 PM – Winner Game #1 vs Winner Game #4
Men’s Game #5: 5:45 PM- Winner Game #2 vs Winner Game #3
Men’s Game #6: 8:00 PM – Winner Game #1 vs Winner Game #4
Sunday, March 9 – Finals:
Women’s Game #7: 1:00 PM – Winner Game #5 vs Winner Game #6
Men’s Game #7: 3:30 PM – Winner Game #5 vs Winner Game #6
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