DUBUQUE, Iowa - For the first time ever in the A-R-C Men's Basketball Tournament's history, the University of Dubuque Spartans and the Loras College Duhawks will face each other for the A-R-C Tournament Championship on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. from Loras College. The Spartans are back in the tournament championship game for the first time since 2022. 

The Spartans will be seeking their fifth conference tournament championship on Saturday night and their ninth NCAA Tournament appearance. 

All-time in the conference championship game the Spartans are 4-1 with their lone loss in their first title game appearance back in 2011. The Spartans record against the Duhawks in the conference tournament is 1-1 with the most recent meeting in 2022. Both previous match ups have been in the semifinals. 

Regular Season Battles
The Duhawks got the better of the Spartans in their first match up back in early December with a 84-69 win inside the Stoltz Sports Center. About a month ago the Spartans and Duhawks played their second regular season match up at Loras where the Spartans took care of business with a 90-74 win. The Spartans shot over 50% in the win and had four score in double figures. 

What's at Stake?
The winner of tomorrow night's game will advance to the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament with the A-R-C automatic bid. The loser will have their season come to an end.

A-R-C Men's Basketball Tournament Pay-Per-View Model
The American Rivers Conference moved to a pay-per-view model for the entire 2026 A-R-C men's basketball tournament to enhance the championship experience for the postseason. To access the game please visit here. If you already bought a tournament pass for Tuesday or Thursday's games, just sign back into the same account to continue watching the games. 

Game Pass - $10