photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell's Bryan Strom (2) shoots against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

The No. 7 Haskell Indian Nations University men’s basketball season ended with a 65-55 loss to No. 2 Arkansas Baptist on Thursday in the Continental Athletic Conference quarterfinals.

Freshman reserve player Bryce Strom led Haskell (10-17 overall, 7-5 CAC) with 15 points. Lawrence native senior DK Middleton scored 9. Arkansas Baptist was led by Safee Shepard’s 12 points. Shepard was one of three players to reach double-digit points while the defense held Haskell to 32% shooting and 24 first-half points.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Bryce Strom (5) watches his shot go in against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

The tournament opened with an upset as No. 8 Carolina stunned defending tournament champion No. 1 Florida College 86-80 and will continue quarterfinal play Friday at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence with No. 3 seed Washington Adventist University against No. 6 seed Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) at 3 p.m. No. 4 seed Fisher College (Massachusetts) is scheduled to battle No. 5 seed Northern New Mexico College at 5 p.m.

The No. 2 Haskell women will play No. 3 Washington Adventist in the women’s semifinal Saturday evening. A time had not been announced late Thursday.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s DK Middleton (second from right) defends against Arkansas Baptist’s Ryan Gordan on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Khohanon Atazhoon (23) blocks a shot by Arkansas Baptist’s Jabari White (24) on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Arkansas Baptist’s Ryan Gordan (4) shoots under pressure from Haskell’s Alexander Ellenwood (21) and Michael Conard (22) on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s DK Middleton (1) goes up for a dunk against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Taurice Grant hustles past Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell coach Matthew Downing (center) talks to the team before the start of the second half against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Trey Gaines puts up a shot over Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Derek Factor (11) passes to Nehemiah Boykins (4) against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Arkansas Baptist drives to the basket as Haskell’s DK Middleton (1) and Bryan Strom (2) defend on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Nehemiah Boykins (4) goes up for a shot against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Khohanon Atazhoon (23) shoots against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Bryce Strom (5) is fouled by Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Bryan Strom (2) goes for a 3 against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.

photo by: Cynthia Hernandez/Journal-World

Haskell’s Derek Factor (11) shoots a free-throw against Arkansas Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.