KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Langston University Lions gritted through a hard-fought battle with Freed-Hardeman, but eventually fell 76-71, losing in the 2026 NAIA National Championship game on Monday night at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO. Freed-Hardeman (33-1) won its second title in three years, claiming the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball national championship. The win by F-HU denied Langston (29-7) what could have been their most significant athletic achievement under Coach Chris Wright, who has drawn national attention for building winning basketball programs. "This is not our time yet,” Langston head coach Chris Wright said in his postgame interview. “But I believe with my whole heart we're going to be back and we're going to win one of these one day." Langston, dismissed by the national basketball community two weeks ago, fought until the final horn. The Lions clawed back from an eight-point second-half deficit to narrow the gap to three with under two minutes left.…