HENDERSON, Tenn. — The Bethel College men's basketball team delivered another memorable moment on the national stage this weekend, securing a dramatic first-round victory before falling to the tournament's top overall seed in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.
The Threshers close the season 22–9 overall, finishing one of the strongest campaigns in program history.
First Round: Bethel 74, Loyola (LA) 71
Bethel opened the NAIA National Tournament with a thrilling 74–71 victory over Loyola (La.), highlighted by a clutch moment in the final seconds.
The game remained tight throughout, with multiple lead changes and neither team able to pull away. Loyola held a narrow 36–33 halftime lead, but Bethel responded in the second half behind balanced scoring and strong defensive possessions.
With the game tied in the closing seconds, Drew Rodriguez delivered the defining play of the night. Rodriguez knocked down a three-pointer with just 1.1 seconds remaining, giving the Threshers the lead and ultimately the win after Bethel secured the final defensive stop.
Bethel saw contributions across the lineup.
Carmelo Yakubu led the Threshers with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Albert Diarra added 15 points and Dominick Harris finished with 12 points. Rodriguez's late three accounted for three of his six points in the contest and proved to be the difference in the game.
The victory marked Bethel's fifth NAIA National Tournament win in program history.
Second Round: No. 1 Freed-Hardeman 80, Bethel 72
Bethel returned to the floor the following day to face Freed-Hardeman, the No. 1 overall seed in the NAIA National Tournament and one of the hottest teams in college basketball.
The Lions entered the matchup riding a remarkable winning streak, having not lost a game since November 5, 2025, one of the longest active streaks across all levels of college basketball.
Freed-Hardeman built a 41–28 halftime lead. Bethel responded with a strong offensive second half, scoring 44 points, but the early deficit proved difficult to overcome in the 80–72 final.
Dominick Harris led Bethel with 28 points, knocking down eight three-pointers, while Kaeson Fisher-Brown added 18 points and Carmelo Yakubu contributed 15 points.
Despite the result, Bethel continued to battle until the final minutes against one of the nation's top teams.
Bethel concludes the 2025–26 season at 22–9 overall, highlighted by another NAIA National Tournament victory.
