LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon Men's Basketball team is on its way to Langston, Oklahoma, for the First and Second Rounds of the NAIA National Championship, presented by Ballogy. Both rounds will take place at C.F. Gayles Field House on the campus of Langston University, with First Round action set for Friday, March 13.
The 12th-seeded Mountaineers will open tournament play against No. 5 seed LSU-Alexandria at 7 p.m. CT.
Eastern Oregon enters the tournament with a 21-8 overall record and a 16-4 mark in conference play, securing an at-large bid under fifth-year head coach
Chris Kemp. This marks the Mountaineers' 10th appearance in the NAIA National Championship, with 2023's tournament being their most recent. EOU holds a 7-9 record all-time in national tournament play.
Eamon Monahan leads the Mountaineers in scoring with 17.0 points per game while shooting 53% from the field and 83.9% from the free-throw line. Monahan is a versatile presence on both ends of the floor, ranking second on the team in steals (21) and blocks (24), third in assists (55), and averaging 4.7 rebounds per game. His all-around contributions earned him CCC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors. Monahan's efficiency and ability to create his own shot make him a constant threat in the National Tournament.
James Bodily is the team's leading three-point shooter, knocking down 71 triples on the season while averaging 14.0 points per game. Bodily shoots 49.3% from the field and 83.6% from the free-throw line, giving EOU a reliable perimeter threat. His scoring versatility and sharpshooting from beyond the arc earned him First Team All-Conference honors, and he can stretch defenses, opening lanes for teammates.
Keilan Torkornoo contributes across the stat sheet, averaging 11.0 points per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Torkornoo leads the Mountaineers in rebounds (6.3 per game) and blocks (24), ranks second in free throws made (68), and has added 23 steals on the season. His physicality inside and ability to guard multiple positions make him a key defensive anchor and rebounding presence for EOU. First Team All-Conference recognition underscores his impact on both ends of the court.
The Generals enter the tournament at 23-8 overall and 18-4 in Red River Athletic Conference play, securing an automatic bid as regular-season runner-up. This marks LSUA's 11th national tournament appearance and third consecutive year, including a trip to the Elite Eight last season.
EJ McQuillan leads LSU-Alexandria and the RRAC in scoring, averaging 20.5 points per game. McQuillan also recorded a team-high 74 assists and shot 40% from the field, including 38.6% from three-point range, and converted 82.9% of his free throws. His scoring ability and playmaking make him the centerpiece of the Generals' offense.
Jordan Decuir provides a consistent secondary scoring option, averaging 15.1 points per game while shooting 42.1% from the field. Decuir's efficiency and ability to score in multiple ways give LSU-Alexandria a balanced attack.
TJ James anchors the boards, hauling in 240 rebounds for an 8.0 per-game average. His physicality inside helps the Generals control the paint and generate second-chance opportunities.
With a First Round win, the Mountaineers would advance to face the winner of No. 4 seed Langston and No. 13 seed Bethel (Tenn.) on Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m. CT. Langston enters with a 24-7 record and 17-5 mark in the Sooner Athletic Conference, earning a national bid through a second-place SAC Tournament finish under fourth-year head coach Chris Wright. Bethel comes in at 19-12, securing its first national tournament berth since 2019 after finishing second in the Mid-South Conference tournament under 26th-year head coach Jeff Britt.
