KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No. 7 seeded Missouri Southern men's basketball (18-13) narrowly fell to No. 3 seeded Rogers State (21-9) 72-70 in the Semifinals of the 2026 MIAA Championships Saturday at Municipal Auditorium.
Despite leading by three at the half, MSSU was unable to hold off a late surge from Rogers State, which capitalized on 18 free throws and outscored the Lions 40-28 in the paint. MSSU recorded seven blocks and shot 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
The Lions now have an overall record of 18-13 in 2025-26. RSU stands at 21-9 overall.
Jaden Taylor led with 27 points, converting 11 of 19 from the field and adding five free throws.
Gavyn Elkamil contributed 19 points, including three 3-pointers, and collected six rebounds.
Isaiah Atwater scored 14 points with two 3-pointers and recorded two assists.
Tyrone Wright Jr. dominated the boards with 12 rebounds and registered five blocks.
The first half began with Missouri Southern taking an early lead through Elkamil and Taylor's scoring efforts. The Lions' defensive plays, including four blocks, helped keep the game competitive. Despite some turnovers, Missouri Southern managed to stay close, with Atwater and
Brayden Williams contributing key points.
As the half unfolded, both teams exchanged leads, with Missouri Southern capitalizing on fast breaks and second-chance opportunities. Despite trailing in the closing moments,
Jaden Taylor's jumper at the buzzer brought Missouri Southern within three points, ending the half with a score of 34-31 in favor of RSU.
Southern initiated the second half with a pivotal jumper by Atwater to regain momentum. Elkamil followed up with a crucial 3-pointer, assisted by
Colin Ruffin, giving Missouri Southern a slight lead. As the half progressed, Taylor's consistent scoring helped maintain the advantage, highlighted by a fast-break layup with 8:07 remaining.
Rogers State responded with a resilient effort, taking a narrow lead with a dunk and free throw combination at 4:14. The final minute saw intense exchanges, with Taylor's layup tying the score at 70–70. However, Rogers State secured the win with a last-second tip-in, closing the game ahead 72–70.
MSSU is now 27-29 at the MIAA Basketball Championship Tournament (7-7 in semifinals).
