the 1939 naia men's basketball tournament was held in march at municipal auditorium in kansas city, missouri. the 3rd annual naia basketball tournament featured 32 teams playing in a single-elimination format. this was also the year the ncaa basketball tournament was started. this tournament also featured the lowest-scoring game in tournament history between loras college (iowa) and central missouri state university, the two-time champions. loras scored a total of 16 points, a tournament low as well, central missouri state won the game with a total score of 20. the total combined score of the game was 36, resulting in the all-time lowest scoring game in tournament history.