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Aurora University Hockey Reaches Frozen Four, Basketball Wins NACC Title

Spartans secure key tournament berths in men's hockey and basketball during the 2025-2026 season.

By Aurora Sport Desk · Published July 18, 2026

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Aurora University Hockey Reaches Frozen Four, Basketball Wins NACC Title — Storyblocks

Aurora University's men's hockey team defeated Endicott College in double overtime to advance to the 2025-2026 NCAA Frozen Four in the quarterfinal round. This result positions the program for its next high-stakes matchup in the national tournament.

Hockey Team's Overtime Advance

The double-overtime win over Endicott College marks a decisive step forward for Aurora University in the 2025-2026 postseason. The outcome sends the team into the Frozen Four quarterfinals, where further competition awaits in the NCAA Division III bracket.

Basketball Secures Conference Crown

The Aurora University men's basketball team won the 2025-2026 NACC tournament championship by defeating Marian University 67-66. The Spartans entered the NCAA Division III tournament with a 23-5 record after the conference title game.

That same program later lost 84-60 to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first round of the 2025-2026 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship at Wisconsin-La Crosse. The result ended the tournament run but followed a strong regular-season finish that included an 8-3 record in 2025 capped by a 49-14 victory over Illinois College on November 22, 2025.

Local High School Standouts Earn Honors

Kate Honchar (’26) and Omar Nijikam (’26) from Aurora Central Catholic were selected for Little 10 All-Conference and Senior All-Star basketball honors, respectively. These selections highlight continued local talent development feeding into area college programs.

The recent tournament results provide concrete benchmarks for Aurora University athletics heading into the remainder of the 2025-2026 campaign. Fans can follow updates through the university athletics site for schedule and bracket information on upcoming contests.

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