Pikeville, Johnson Set to Meet for Men's Basketball Tourney Title

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The stage is set for the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Basketball Tournament championship game as top-seeded Pikeville and No. 3 seed Johnson advanced to the title game on Friday.

The tournament is being held at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.

Pikeville used deadly, long-range shooting to propel itself to the championship game in a 73-61 win over No. 4 seed Union Commonwealth. Of the Bears' 24 made field goals, 16 were from behind the arc. Keian Worrix hit 6-of-10 from deep in netting 20 points. Bradley Bunch led with 21 points.

Johnson needed overtime to get past No. 7 seed Tennessee Wesleyan in a wild 73-71 battle. Ja'Kobe Strozier scored to tie the game at 71-all with 37 seconds to go. Tennessee Wesleyan missed a shot with 11 seconds remaining, and Strozier drove the lane to score with four seconds left to put Johnson up 73-71. Tennessee Wesleyan tried to get the ball down the floor quickly, but Livingston Cross stole the ball at midcourt to seal the win. Mason Lockhart posted 29 points and 17 rebounds for the Royals, and Strozier finished with 16 points.

Pikeville and Johnson are both going for their first-ever AAC Men's Basketball Tournament championship. Tipoff is set for Saturday at 1 pm.

The game will be live-streamed here for free. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students each day. To purchase tickets, click here.

Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Game 1 - No. 9 Bryan (12-16) def. No. 8 Truett McConnell (12-16), 62-57 (box)
Game 2 - No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (12-12) def. No. 10 Reinhardt (8-20), 81-80 (box)

Thursday, Feb. 26
Game 3 - No. 4 Union Commonwealth (14-15) def. No. 5 Columbia (13-16), 83-57 (box)
Game 4 - No. 1 Pikeville (26-3) def. No. 9 Bryan (12-17), 85-58 (box)
Game 5 - No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (13-12) def. No. 2 Columbia International (18-10), 78-75 (box)
Game 6 - No. 3 Johnson (16-13) def. 6 Montreat (15-13), 71-50 (box)

Friday, Feb. 27
Game 7 - No. 1 Pikeville (27-3) def. No. 4 Union Commonwealth (14-16), 73-61 (box)
Game 8 - No. 3 Johnson (17-13) def. No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (13-13), 73-71 (OT) (box)

Saturday, Feb. 28
Game 9 - Championship Game - No. 1 Pikeville (73-3) vs. No. 3 Johnson (17-13), 1 pm