CALIFORNIA (March 13) – The California (PA) men's basketball team returns to the NCAA Tournament this weekend for the third time in five years and the 16th time in program history. The Vulcans will face Fayetteville State in the opening round of the Atlantic Regional on Saturday, March 14.

LOCATION
The Atlantic Regional will be hosted by Gannon at the Highmark Events Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. It marks the first time the facility has hosted NCAA Tournament games since renovations were completed in January 2025. Gannon previously split hosting duties with Cal during the 2024 NCAA Tournament, with games played at the Hagerty Family Events Center — the home facility of Cathedral Prep — in Erie.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets will be available for purchase on-site at the Highmark Events Center and online. Prices are $22 for reserved seating, $12 for adult general admission and $6 for student (grades K-12) general admission. Tickets are valid for a single-day only with a separate ticket required for each date.

SCHEDULE
The Atlantic Regional will be held March 14-15, with the championship game scheduled for March 17.
Quarterfinal games on Saturday, March 14, are scheduled for:

• 12 p.m. – #3 Fairmont State vs. #6 IUP
• 2:30 p.m. – #2 West Liberty vs. #7 Virginia Union
• 5 p.m. – #1 Gannon vs. #8 Charleston (WV)
• 7:30 p.m. – #4 California (PA) vs. #5 Fayetteville State

Semifinal games will be played Sunday, March 15, at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The winners advance to the Atlantic Regional Championship on Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m.

THE FIELD
(1) Gannon
The Golden Knights (28-3) enter the Atlantic Regional after making their third-straight appearance in the PSAC Championship. Gannon ranks among the national leaders in several statistical categories, including fastbreak points per game (25.39), offensive rebounds per game (17.35) and turnovers forced per game (23.58), all of which lead NCAA Division II. The Golden Knights also rank among the top 15 nationally in 10 other categories, including scoring offense (third) and rebounds per game (second). Sophomore guard Pace Prosser earned All-PSAC West First-Team honors and ranks among the top 50 players in the country with 553 total points this season.

(2) West Liberty
The Hilltoppers (27-4) enter the regional following their first MEC Championship since 2023. West Liberty leads NCAA Division II in bench points per game (47.35) and ranks among the top 15 nationally in 12 additional statistical categories. The Hilltoppers boast the second-highest scoring offense in the country at 98.8 points per game with 10 players averaging at least five points per contest. Senior forward Jamie Muldowney and freshman guard Myles Montgomery were both named All-MEC First-Team.

(3) Fairmont State
The Fighting Falcons (26-5) return to the Atlantic Regional after making back-to-back appearances in the MEC Championship, highlighted by winning the 2025 title. Fairmont State ranks among the most efficient offensive teams in NCAA Division II, sitting third nationally in effective field-goal percentage (.585), 11th in field-goal percentage (.499) and sixth in three-point percentage (.393). Redshirt junior forward Drey Carter earned All-MEC First-Team honors in his first season with the program and ranks among the national leaders with a .611 field-goal percentage.

(4) California (PA)
The Vulcans (22-8) enter the NCAA Tournament after claiming their first PSAC Championship since 2008. Cal ranks third nationally in defensive rebounds per game (29.2), 10th in field-goal percentage (.501) and 12th in fastbreak points per game (17.4). Redshirt junior forward Bryson Lucas – the PSAC Tournament MVP – was named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career while earning All-PSAC West First-Team honors. Lucas has recorded 13 double-doubles this season, which ranks among the top 15 in NCAA Division II.

(5) Fayetteville State
The Broncos (23-6) enter the regional after capturing their third CIAA Championship in program history. Fayetteville State leads all levels of college basketball in total free-throw attempts (971), free-throw attempts per game (33.5) and free throws made per game (25.1). The Broncos also rank among the top 10 in NCAA Division II in blocks per game (5.2), fastbreak points per game (19.1) and scoring offense (89.4). Senior guard Larry Howell was named CIAA Player of the Year, while senior guard Ezekiel Cannedy earned CIAA Sixth Man of the Year honors.

(6) Indiana (PA)
The Crimson Hawks (22-6) return to the Atlantic Regional for the first time since 2023. IUP led the PSAC in three-point percentage (.366) and three-pointers per game (10.0) this season. Redshirt senior guard Dallis Dillard was named the D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year after also earning PSAC West Player of the Year and All-PSAC West First-Team honors.

(7) Virginia Union
The Panthers (24-5) enter the NCAA Tournament after falling in the quarterfinals of the CIAA Tournament. Virginia Union features one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division II, allowing just 59.9 points per game. The Panthers also rank among the national leaders in steals per game (11.3), turnovers forced per game (17.3) and turnover margin (4.6). Head coach Jay Butler was named CIAA Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

(8) Charleston (WV)
The Golden Eagles (19-9) are making their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons. UC ranks among the most efficient offensive teams in NCAA Division II, leading the country in effective field-goal percentage (.602). The Golden Eagles also rank second in three-point percentage (.405), third in three-pointers per game (11.4), fifth in field-goal percentage (.508) and ninth in assists per game (18.0). Forward Thomas Hailey earned All-MEC First-Team honors and ranks among the national leaders with a .667 field-goal percentage.

For additional information, please visit the Tournament Central by CLICKING HERE.