Brutal KOs: Max's 28 not enough as LSU sent home

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A heavy wave of eliminations swept through the NCAA conference tournaments with multiple Australians seeing their seasons end within hours of each other on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Max Mackinnon, Roman Siulepa, Emmett Adair, Will Johnston and Achor Achor were all knocked out as their teams fell in win-or-go-home matchups, while Bol Dengdit was the lone Australian to progress after UC San Diego edged Cal Poly in the Big West Championship First Round.

Mackinnon’s 28-point performance stood out offensively, but across several leagues Australians logged major minutes, led team scoring, and played key rotation roles despite their programs exiting tournament contention.

🇦🇺 UC San Diego 72, Cal Poly 69 (Final)

UC San Diego Tritons: 21–11

Junior forward Bol Dengdit recorded 11 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes as UC San Diego edged Cal Poly 72–69 in the Big West Championship First Round on March 12, 2026 (AEDT).

UC San Diego held composure late in a tight contest, converting key free throws and defensive stops to secure the three-point win. Dengdit went 5–5 from the free throw line and added two assists as the Tritons advanced to the next round.

Bol Dengdit – Junior Forward – UC San Diego Tritons – Melbourne, VIC – 2.11 m

• Points: 11 │ Rebounds: 5 │ Assists: 2 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ Turnovers: 3 │ FG: 3–8 │ 3PT: 0–1 │ FT: 5–5 │ Minutes: 26

Kentucky 87, 🇦🇺 LSU 82 (Final)

LSU Tigers: 17–15

Senior guard Max Mackinnon delivered 28 points and four rebounds in 33 minutes as LSU fell 87–82 to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament First Round on March 12.

Mackinnon shot 11–17 from the field and knocked down two three-pointers as LSU remained within reach late, but Kentucky’s scoring execution across both halves secured the five-point result. LSU racked up 82 points in the elimination loss, with Mackinnon leading the Tigers’ offensive production.

Max Mackinnon – Senior Guard – LSU Tigers – Brisbane, QLD – 1.98 m

• Points: 28 │ Rebounds: 4 │ Assists: 1 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ Turnovers: 3 │ FG: 11–17 │ 3PT: 2–6 │ FT: 4–6 │ Minutes: 33

NC State 98, 🇦🇺 Pittsburgh 88 (Final)

Pittsburgh Panthers: 13–20

Freshman forward Roman Siulepa recorded seven points and four rebounds in 26 minutes as Pittsburgh fell 98–88 to NC State in the ACC Tournament Second Round on March 12, 2026 (AEDT).

NC State built its advantage through offensive efficiency, scoring 98 points while limiting Pittsburgh’s transition opportunities after halftime. Siulepa converted five-of-six from the free throw line and added a block as the Panthers were eliminated from the tournament following their opening-round win.

Roman Siulepa – Freshman Forward – Pittsburgh Panthers – Brisbane, QLD – 1.98 m

• Points: 7 │ Rebounds: 4 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 1 │ Turnovers: 1 │ FG: 1–3 │ 3PT: 0–2 │ FT: 5–6 │ Minutes: 26

Colgate 90, 🇦🇺 Loyola Maryland 77 (Final)

Loyola Maryland Greyhounds: 12–20

Freshman forward Emmett Adair recorded 16 points and four rebounds in 31 minutes as Loyola Maryland fell 90–77 to Colgate in the Patriot League Championship Quarterfinal on March 6.

Colgate established control through sustained scoring across both halves, reaching 90 points while Loyola Maryland struggled to contain perimeter shooting. Adair shot 6–14 from the field and converted four-of-five from the free throw line as the Greyhounds were eliminated from the conference tournament.

Emmett Adair – Freshman Forward – Loyola Maryland Greyhounds – Sydney, NSW – 2.06 m

• Points: 16 │ Rebounds: 4 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ Turnovers: 0 │ FG: 6–14 │ 3PT: 0–5 │ FT: 4–5 │ Minutes: 31

Loyola Chicago 75, 🇦🇺 Richmond 67 (Final)

Richmond Spiders: 17–14

Senior guard Will Johnston recorded 10 points and two assists in 35 minutes as Richmond fell 75–67 to Loyola Chicago in the Atlantic 10 Championship First Round on March 12.

Loyola Chicago established separation through consistent scoring across both halves, holding Richmond to 67 points in the elimination result. Johnston converted four field goals and hit two three-pointers as the Spiders were unable to close the gap late.

Will Johnston – Senior Guard – Richmond Spiders – Sydney, NSW – 1.91 m

• Points: 10 │ Rebounds: 2 │ Assists: 2 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ Turnovers: 1 │ FG: 4–12 │ 3PT: 2–9 │ FT: 0–1 │ Minutes: 35

Auburn 79, 🇦🇺 Mississippi State 61 (Final)

Mississippi State Bulldogs: 20–11

Senior forward Achor Achor recorded seven points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes as Mississippi State fell 79–61 to Auburn in the SEC Tournament First Round on March 12.

Auburn created separation through sustained scoring runs across both halves while limiting Mississippi State’s offensive efficiency. Achor shot 3–5 from the field and connected on one three-pointer as the Bulldogs were eliminated from the conference tournament.

Achor Achor – Senior Forward – Mississippi State Bulldogs – Melbourne, VIC – 2.06 m

• Points: 7 │ Rebounds: 8 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ Turnovers: 3 │ FG: 3–5 │ 3PT: 1–3 │ FT: 0–0 │ Minutes: 22