KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2025 MIAA Basketball Championships tipped off Wednesday, March 5, in Kansas City’s historic Municipal Auditorium. Central Oklahoma and Central Missouri survived the men’s first-round matchups to advance to Thursday’s quarterfinal contests.

GAME ONE: No. 8 Central Oklahoma 73, No. 9 Emporia State 60 (Box Score)
Opening up the first round of the 2025 MIAA Tournament was No. 8 seed Central Oklahoma’s 73-60 win over No. 9 seed Emporia State. The Bronchos went 50.0 percent (16-of-32) from the field while the Hornets shot 36.5 percent (23-of-63). The Bronchos maintained control of the entire game after taking a 3-2 lead at 17:53 in the first half. 

Central Oklahoma's Israel Hart led all scorers with 27 points including 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc while contributing seven rebounds, five assists and a steal. 

Emporia State had three players finish in double figures as Karyiek Dixon led with a team high 13 points and also recorded eight rebounds, six steals and four assists. 

The Bronchos will face the top-seeded Washburn Ichabods in quarterfinal action beginning at noon on Thursday, March 6. 

GAME TWO: No. 7 Central Missouri 69, No. 10 Northeastern State 59 (Box Score)
In final men’s action of the day No. 7 seed Central Missouri picked up an opening round 69-59 win over No. 10 seed Northeastern State. The Mules posted a shooting percentage of 45.7 percent (10-of-23) including a 40.9 clip (9-of-22) from the three-point line while the Riverhawks went 40.0 percent (20-of-50) from the field. Central Missouri also outrebounded the RiverHawks 36 to 23.

Backed by 25 points from DeAirius Barker, who went 11-of-11 from the charity stripe, a double-double by Elijah Farr (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Josh Nwankwo’s 11 points the trio combined for 52 of the total 69 UCM points.

Trey Phipps put up his own 20-piece performance as he had a team high 23 points while Ethan Blackmon contributed his own double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) in the NSU loss. 

The Mules will return to Municipal Auditorium to challenge No. 2 seed Fort Hays State in quarterfinal action beginning at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 6. 

To view today’s first-round results and check out tomorrow’s quarterfinal schedule, visit the Championship Central page.