2026 NCATA DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11, 2026
Hosted by East Texas Baptist – Marshall, TX (Ornelas Gym)
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THE MATCHUP… The Bengals are back in action as they will close out the season this weekend at the NCATA Division III Tournament hosted by East Texas Baptist. Buffalo State will open action tonight as the five-seed where they will battle #13 Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7:00 pm.
The winner will advance to the tournament final on Saturday and whoever falls short will compete in the consolation meet on Friday. Buffalo State has posted back-to-back 200+ point showings after eclipsing the barrier in early March against Calvin.
THE BENGAL BREAKDOWN… Buffalo State enters the weekend with a 1-5 record. The Bengals lone win came in dominant fashion over Calvin as they scored, at the time, a program record score of 206.765, breaking the 200-point barrier for the first time in program history. Buffalo State followed up that performance with another program-record score of 211.730 in a tri-meet featuring Canisius and Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Mariah Allen (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) and
Jackie Heyden (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) have been the leading force for Buffalo State competing in almost every event. Allen was also named the NCATA Freshman of the Week back in early March. Both have helped set multiple program records this season as Buffalo State continues to thrive in the fast-growing sport.
ASSESSING THE COMPETITION… Buffalo State will see the likes of the Crusaders, Concordia (Wisconsin), Trine, host-East Texas Baptist, Calvin, and Stevenson. Mary Hardin-Baylor enters the tournament as the number one overall seed.
Last season, the Crusaders earned the team title over Texas Lutheran. Buffalo State competed in the consolation/5
th place contest where they defeated Adrian but fell less than two points short against Calvin.
