DMACC Captures First Region Title Since 2022, Earns Automatic NJCAA Tournament Bid
The Region 11-A Tournament kicked off with a showdown between No. 1 DMACC and No. 8 Western Iowa Tech, and the Bears came out on top in dominant fashion. DMACC pounded Western Iowa Tech in the first half, building a 14-point halftime lead. The Bears spread the wealth throughout the lineup, with five different players scoring at least five points. They shot 48.3% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range. On the other end, the Comets struggled to find consistency offensively, shooting just 33.3% from the field and getting more than 10 points from only one player, Zeb Svoboda. The second half told much the same story as DMACC continued to dominate. The Bears had 11 different players score and rode that balanced attack all the way to an 81-56 victory and a berth in the Region 11-A Championship.
In the other semifinal, No. 5 Iowa Western took on the reigning NJCAA Division II men's basketball national champion, No. 4 Kirkwood. The game opened neck and neck, with Iowa Western taking a 36-33 lead into halftime. Zayden Best and Judah Vignery led the charge for the Reivers with 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Ben Bockman kept Kirkwood afloat with 11 first-half points. Iowa Western's JP Sumo exploded in the second half, scoring 16 points and propelling the Reivers to a 36-point half and a 72-61 victory. Kirkwood was unable to get much going after the break. The Eagles made just two three-pointers and turned the ball over 11 times compared to five for Iowa Western. The Reivers advanced to face No. 2-ranked and top-seeded DMACC in the championship.
In the championship game, DMACC did what it has done all year — dominate. The Bears jumped out to an eight-point halftime lead behind 12 points from Kaden Tate and 10 from Brent Taylor. They also shot 60% from the field and 50% from 3-point range, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Iowa Western's three-headed attack of JP Sumo, Zayden Best and Judah Vignery continued its hot play to keep the Reivers within striking distance. But the second half saw the Bears maintain control, with Taylor adding 12 more points and Tate pulling down 12 rebounds. As they have all year, the Bears controlled the game from start to finish and closed out an 89-73 win. Brent Taylor ended the game with 22 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals. Kaden Tate put up a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Iowa Western was held afloat by JP Sumo and Zayden Best, guys who scored DMACC now advances to the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament.
Semifinals - Saturday, February 28, 2026
#1 DMACC def. #8 Western Iowa Tech, 81-56 - Box Score
#5 Iowa Western def. #4 Kirkwood, 72-61 - Box Score - Archived Video
Championship - Tuesday, March 3, 2026
#1 DMACC def. #5 Iowa Western, 89-73 - Box Score
DMACC receives automatic bid to NJCAA National Tournament.