Late Push Gives Johnson Men's Basketball Tournament Title
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
38 | 38 | 76 |
|
|
30 | 45 | 75 |
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Johnson (TN) | Pikeville (KY) |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (31-48) | (25-50) |
| Field Goal % | 64.6% | 50.0% |
| Rebounds | 25 | 20 |
| Assists | 18 | 14 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 4 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 4 | 5 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 8 | 9 |
| Pts in the Paint | 54 | 26 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 7 | 0 |
| Bench Pts | 7 | 20 |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Third-seeded Johnson closed the game fast and furious to capture the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Basketball Tournament championship on Saturday, winning 76-75 over No. 1 seed Pikeville.
The tournament is being held at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.
Down 75-68 with 2:30 remaining, Johnson scored the final eight points of the game. Mason Lockhart hit a layup with 45 seconds left to pull the Royals within one, and following a Bear missed shot, he set up Davon Cottle for a layup as Johnson grabbed a 76-75 lead with 19 seconds to go.
Pikeville worked the ball around, trying to find the perfect shot. However, it rimmed out at the buzzer as Johnson captured its first-ever men's basketball tournament championship.
Lockhart earned Tournament MVP honors after posting 37 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team are Cottle and Livingston Cross of Johnson, Keian Worrix and Bradley Bunch of Pikeville, Dallas Rufus of Union Commonwealth, and Reshaun Hampton of Tennessee Wesleyan.
With the tournament title, Johnson receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Pikeville received one as the regular-season champion. The NAIA Selection Show is set for Thursday, March 5, at 7 pm ET.
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. 3 Johnson (18-13) def. No. 1 Pikeville (27-4), 76-75 (box)