HBCU Basketball Team Punches Ticket To NAIA Men's National Basketball Championship Game

Langston University will play for a men's national basketball title against Freed-Hardeman University.

Kyle T. Mosley | Mar 26, 2024

Langston's Chereef Knox celebrates during the college basketball between the Langston University / SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

Langston University (35-1) utilized a solid defense to defeat the College of Idaho (32-4) 58-52, securing a spot in the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament game on March 26. The Lions will face Freed-Hardeman (TN) in the title contest at 8:00 PM CT inside the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cortez Mosley sealed the win with a breakaway dunk, increasing the lead to 56-52 with 10.4 seconds remaining in the semifinal. He led the Lions with 16 points and added four rebounds. D'Monte Brown ended the match, making his five final shots while giving the Lions 12 points and four rebounds. Anthony Roy scored nine points, cleared seven rebounds, and posted five assists in the victory.
Samaje Morgan notched 17 points, and Jake O'Neil scored 10 points in the loss.

The Langston team won after a tied halftime score of 27, with 31 points scored in the second half compared to the Yotes' 25. A scoring edge came for the Lions with 38% from the field and 29% from 3-point range. Bench points (16 to 11) and points in the paint (16 to 11) also aided Langston's cause on the evening.

Two seasons ago, the HBCU program was 1-27 before improving to 31-3 in 2022-23 and falling to Georgetown College in the 2023 NAIA National Championship Tournament.

Tuesday's 2024 NAIA National Championship game will pit the Feed-Hardeman Lions (31-4) against the Langston Lions (35-1). The F-HU Lions' top scorers are Quan Lax (13.3 PPG), JJ Wheat (13.1 PPG), and Geraldo Lane (11.0 PPG).

Roy Anthony averaged 18.7 points, and Cortez Mosley (12.9) were Langston's top scorers on the season. The Lions will have to rely on their defense of holding opponents to 57.9 points per contest to bring home the national title trophy.

Published Mar 26, 2024

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: