KEENE, N.H. – The 2026 ECAC DIII Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament wrapped up on Saturday afternoon, with #2 Keene State defeating #5 NJCU 85-68 to earn the conference crown. Jordan Cooper and Jordan McClain led the Keene State offense with 35 combined points, with the former being named the as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
 
NJCU controlled the opening tip, with Donovan Crawford coming away with the first bucket of the day. Keene State responded with a 28-7 run over the next nine minutes, going up by as many as 20 in the first half before carrying a 41-23 advantage into the locker room at the break.
 
A McClain layup early in the second half gave the Owls their biggest lead of the night at 27, and the two teams went back-and-forth for the duration of the game. The damage had been done, however, as the Gothic Knights never got back within striking distance, paving the way for Keene State to finish off the season with a 13-3 record in their home gym.
 
Bakhi Rogers-Robinson led all scorers with 26 points, while Donovan Crawford followed with 11 as the only other NJCU player in double figures. Cooper’s 30 points was enough to lead the Owls, with McClain pouring in 15 of his own and Allyn Wright adding another 11.
 
Keene State’s Denis Wainaina matched Crawford’s game-high ten rebounds, with Crawford rounding out his fifth double-double of the year. McClain added six boards, a game-high four assists and three steals to his performance, joining Cooper on the All-Tournament Team.
 
The Owls outrebounded their guests 38-35, but the Gothic Knights won the turnover battle, committing 12 and forcing Keene State into 14. The Owls shot just under 50% from the floor for the game, including a 13-of-31 mark from three-point range.