ATLANTA — Mississippi University for Women’s men’s basketball team saw its 2025-26 season end in the first round of the NCAA Division III national championship tournament, losing to No. 2 seed Emory University 87-73.
The Owls finished the season with a 17-11 record. Emory (23-3) advances to Saturday’s second-round game on its home floor. This was MUW’s first-ever NCAA Division III postseason appearance.
“We went toe-to-toe with a team that is a top seed and has been ranked No. 1 nationally at times this season,” MUW Head Coach Dean Burrows said. “We settled in somewhat faster than expected, but self-inflicted mistakes came back to bite us. We knew transition defense and rebounding on the offensive glass would be a challenge, and it was. Our shooting from the free-throw line also hurt us.”
The Owls never led in the game. They trailed by only single digits for much of the first half before going into halftime down 50-37. Emory maintained its lead in the second half, keeping MUW at arm’s length.
Joe Haze Austin and Tray Huguley led MUW’s effort. Austin scored a season-high 32 points, shooting 14-of-27 and making four three-pointers. The sophomore also posted six steals, eight rebounds, and one block. Huguley, who was held to 15 points—well below his season average—grabbed 12 rebounds, dished four assists, and blocked three shots. Huguley’s rebounding gave him his 18th double-double this season, a school record.
Trent Walker was the only other player in double figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Devin McCaine added eight points, while Tyler Shephard scored six and Jackson Reid two.
Burrows expressed pride in his team’s effort, noting the significance of the season’s accomplishments. “Our guys had impact all season long,” he said. “Experiencing the NCAA tournament and competing against a team like Emory will help us as we continue to develop.”
