To the Bank: SMC Upsets Bryan with Last-Second Shot; Semifinal Round Set

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Halle Traylor and No. 7 seed Spartanburg Methodist went to the bank and came up money, as they upset second-seeded Bryan in the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal round on Thursday.

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

Down 1 with 2.0 seconds on the clock, Traylor banked in an 18-footer at the buzzer to give SMC the 69-68 victory. She finished the game with 19 points, as did teammate Destiny Middleton. 

The win sends SMC to the semifinal round, where it will face No. 3 seed Reinhardt. In the day's final game, Reinhardt used a strong third quarter to create some cushion en route to the 56-46 win over No. 6 seed Johnson.

In the earlier games, top-seeded Milligan and No. 4 seed Pikeville each won big to set up their semifinal showdown.

Play resumes on Friday with Milligan taking on Pikeville at 6 p.m., followed by SMC and Reinhardt at 8 p.m.

All games 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 Montreat (11-16) def. No. 8 Columbia (13-16), 65-59 (box)
Game 2 - No. 7 Spartanburg Methodist (16-13) def. No. 10 Union Commonwealth (8-20), 64-46 (box)

Thursday, Feb. 26
Game 3 - No. 1 Milligan (21-7) def. No. 9 Montreat (11-17), 70-50 (box)
Game 4 - No. 4 Pikeville (15-13) def. No. 5 Tennessee Wesleyan (11-15), 65-58 (box)
Game 5 - No. 7 Spartanburg Methodist (17-13) def. No. 2 Bryan (21-7), 69-68 (box) 
Game 6 - No. 3 Reinhardt (22-6) def. No. 6 Johnson (11-16), 56-46 (box)

Friday, Feb. 27
Game 7 - No. 1 Milligan (21-7) vs. No. 4 Pikeville (15-13), 6 pm
Game 8 - No. 7 Spartanburg Methodist (17-13) vs. No. 3 Reinhardt (22-6), 8 pm

Saturday, Feb. 28
Game 9 - Championship Game - Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 3 pm