No. 3 Arizona ends their run for back-to-back titles after a 66-57 point loss to No. 6 SMSU in the quarterfinals of the men’s NIWBT on Thursday afternoon.
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Photos: No. 6 SMSU defeats No. 3 Arizona in NIWBT men's quarterfinals, 66-57
SMSU men’s team celebrates after defeating the Wildcats in the quarterfinals of the men’s NIWBT, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Broden Nagle (2) forces the ball away from SMSU’s Fermin Wingerter (5) during quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Dylan Zander (4) passes the ball over SMSU’s Fermin Wingerter (5) during quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Ben Thornton (10) earns two-points for the Wildcats with a layup during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Brent Brennan, Arizona’s head football coach throws the first jump ball during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Broden Nagle (2) accidentally hits himself in the eye while attempting a shot over SMSU’s Fermin Wingerter (5) during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Mike Beardsley, Arizona head wheelchair basketball coach talks to his team during a timeout against SMSU in the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, April 2, 2026.
Robert Lew (32) adds SMSU’s name to the final four after defeating Arizona at home in the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
A fan holds a sign that reads “In Beardsley we trust” during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships against SMSU, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Dylan Zander (4) attempts to earn two-points for the Wildcats on a break away play against SMSU during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Gabriel Taylor (21) earns two-points for the Wildcats during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships against SMSU, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Dylan Zander (4) shoots the ball over SMSU’s Fermin Wingerter (5) during the second half, quarterfinals of the men’s NIWBT, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Gabriel Taylor (21) dribbles the ball during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships against SMSU, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
SMSU’s Fermin Wingerter (5) celebrates after the Mustangs defeated the Wildcats in the quarterfinals of the men’s NIWBT, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
A section of Arizona fans keeps the crowd hype during the men’s match against SMSU in the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Dylan Zander (4) dribbles against an SMSU defender during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Carlos Reynoso (17) shoots the ball over SMSU’s Robert Lew (32) in the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Gabriel Taylor (21) clashes against SMSU’s Joshua Brown (3) during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Arizona’s Gabriel Taylor (21) earns two-points for the Wildcats during the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships against SMSU, McKale Center, April 2, 2026.
Mike Beardsley, Arizona head wheelchair basketball coach talks to his team during a timeout in the quarterfinals of the men’s intercollegiate wheelchair basketball national championships against SMSU , April 2, 2026.
Grace Trejo
Photojournalist