2026 GPAC Men's Basketball Quarterfinal Preview

#6 Briar Cliff Chargers (13-14) at #3 Mount Marty Lancers (15-10)

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Tip-off: 7:00 PM CST

Location: Cimpl Arena, Yankton, SD

ADMISSION & TOURNAMENT POLICY

If you're heading to Cimpl Arena to support the Lancers, please note the GPAC postseason admission rates:

• Adults: $10

• Students (K-College): $3

• GPAC Students: FREE with a valid institutional ID.

• Passes: NO season passes or faculty/staff passes are accepted for GPAC Tournament games. Only NAIA-issued passes will be honored.

THE MATCHUP: LANCERS VS. CHARGERS

This is a heavyweight battle between two teams that know each other well. Mount Marty enters as the #3 seed after a stellar 13-7 conference run, while Briar Cliff looks to play the role of spoiler as the #6 seed.

Mount Marty: The Model of Efficiency

The Lancers' offense is built on high-percentage looks and elite interior play.

• The Anchor: Sutton Arend (17.4 PPG) is shooting a massive 57.9% from the field. He is arguably the most difficult matchup in the GPAC when he gets deep post position.

• The Sharp-Shooters: When defenses collapse on Arend, Deegan Williams (45.6% 3PT) and Damon Opdahl(37.5% 3PT) are ready to punish them from the perimeter.

• The Glass-Cleaners: Jake Jensen (5.6 RPG) and Jackson Edman (4.7 RPG) give MMU the size advantage needed to control the tempo.

Briar Cliff: The Star Power

The Chargers may have a lower seed, but they possess one of the most dangerous scoring duos in the region.

• The Engine: Blake Sindelar (20.0 PPG) is a volume scorer who lives at the free-throw line (192 attempts this season). Stopping him without fouling is the Lancers' #1 priority.

• The Support: Jaxson Wingert (17.6 PPG) and Colby Collison (18.9 PPG) provide a three-headed monster that can carry the Chargers if they get hot early.

Keys to the Game

1. Defend the Arc: Briar Cliff has multiple shooters (Collison, Mohr) hitting over 40% from deep. MMU's perimeter defense must close out hard.

2. Bench Production: MMU has a deeper rotation. Look for Tyler Sandoval and Mac Ryken to provide critical energy and scoring when the starters rest.

3. The "Cimpl" Advantage: MMU is 8-5 at home. In a postseason atmosphere, the Yankton crowd will be a factor in rattling a BCU team that is sub-.500 on the road.

THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

The winner of this game will advance to the GPAC Semifinals on Saturday, February 28, to face the winner of #7 Dakota Wesleyan vs. #2 Northwestern.