AMHERST, N.Y. – 2026 EAST REGION CHAMPIONS!
The 2025-26 season continues for the No. 4 ranked Daemen Wildcats! The top-seeded Wildcats punched their ticket to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight with a commanding 94-73 victory over #3 seed Saint Anselm on Tuesday night at Lumsden Gymnasium. It marked the second East Region title in program history for the Wildcats and the first since 2021. Daemen expands on their record-breaking season, improving to 33-1 on the year and will represent the East Region at the Elite Eight in Pittsburgh, Pa. on March 25.
It was a two-point game at the half, 43-41, but Daemen exploded in the second half, out-scoring Saint Anselm 51 to 32 in the final 20 minutes. The Wildcats commanded the game, shooting 56.3 percent (36-of-64) from the field as well as an impressive 46.7 percent (14-of-30) beyond the arc.
The Wildcats were paced by 2026 East Region Most Valuable Player
Zach Philipkoski (New Hartford, N.Y.) who scored 40 points off 11 three-point field goals. Philipkoski banked 11 of Daemen's 14 triples in the win.
Benjamin Bill (Hamburg, N.Y.) and
Ryan Heath (Rochester, N.Y.) were both named to the East Region All-Tournament Team.
IMPACT PLAYERS
- The postseason has been good to Zach Philipkoski! The junior guard scored an incredible 40 points after going 14-of-22 from the field and 11-of-17 beyond the arc while adding nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. The 2026 East Coast Conference Player of the Year averaged 14 points per game through the first two games of the regional, but with Tuesday's huge night, Philipkoski finished the tournament scoring an average of 22.6 points per game.
- Benjamin Bill totaled 19 points, shooting 9-of-12 from the field along with six rebounds and four assists. The redshirt junior center averaged 20.6 points per game throughout Daemen's tear through the East Region tournament.
- Playing in his final game at Lumsden Gymnasium, senior guard Justin Glover (Buffalo, N.Y.) finished with 11 points, five assists, three steals and one rebound.
- Junior guard Ryan Heath (Rochester, N.Y.) totaled 10 points after shooting 5-of-8 from the field and added a steal.
- In his final home game of his six year illustrious career at Lumsden, redshirt senior Justin Hemphill (Buffalo, N.Y.) pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds including a game-high seven offensive boards, adding four points, a game-high six assists, game-high six steals and two blocks.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The game began with St. Anselm taking an early lead as Josh Morissette scored a jumper at the 19:38 mark. Bill quickly evened the score with a jumper assisted by Justin Glover. Saint Anselm extended its lead with a 3-pointer from Morissette, but the Wildcats responded with a 3-pointer from Philipkoski at 14:15 to take a 12–10 advantage.
- The junior guard Philipkoski continued to be a key factor, adding another 3-pointer and a fast-break layup, contributing to the Wildcats' offensive momentum. Despite a late 3-pointer by the Hawks, the Wildcats held a narrow 43–41 lead at halftime.
- Daemen shot 57.1 percent from the field and 50 percent beyond the arc in the first half with Philipkoski leading the charge with 14 points after going 5-of-6.
- The Wildcats pulled away decisively in the second half, outscoring St. Anselm 51–32 to secure a commanding victory. Philipkoski led the offensive charge with a series of 3-pointers, including one at the 11:13 mark that extended the lead to 73–51.
- Bill contributed significantly with numerous assists and crucial rebounds while Glover added to the tally with effective fast-break layups. Saint Anselm struggled to maintain possession, committing multiple turnovers, which the Wildcats capitalized on to solidify their lead.
- Daemen capitalized down low with 42 points in the paint, and took advantage of the Hawks' 16 turnovers with 26 points off turnovers.
GAME NOTES
- Daemen is ranked No. 4 in the final National Association of Basketball Coaches poll. The Wildcats have been ranked in the top-five throughout the season.
- Over the past two incredible seasons, Daemen has compiled a 61-2 overall record (28-1 in 2024-25, 33-1 in 2025-26).
- With two appearances all-time in the East Region Final, the Wildcats are now 2-0, winning both times they have played in the regional championship game (2021, 2026).
- Daemen's Zach Philipkoski finished with 11 three-pointers tonight, one shy of tying Daemen's single-game three point field goal record (12) set by David Skolen on Nov. 11, 1989.
- The Wildcats are now 7-4 all-time in NCAA Tournament games and 7-3 in the East Region Tournament. Daemen came into this season with a 4-3 record in the regional tournament and 4-4 record in the tournament since making their first appearance in 2019.
