Montreat Holds on to Upset CIU; Semifinal Round Set

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Sixth-seeded Montreat held on to upset No. 3 Columbia International in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 WinWon Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Basketball Tournament on Thursday.

The tournament is being played at the MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort in Kingsport, Tenn.

An AJ Baskerville 3-pointer gave Montreat an 81-70 with 1:01 to play; however, Columbia International would not bow out easily, cutting the margin to 81-79. Jack Keller hit 1-of-2 free throws with a second remaining to make it a three-point contest. Columbia International attempted a desperation 3-pointer, but it was no good as Montreat advanced with the 82-79 decision.

No. 1 Pikeville, No. 2 Milligan, and No. 4 Johnson also advanced.

Pikeville and Johnson play in Friday's first semifinal game at 6 p.m. ET, with Milligan taking on Montreat at 8 p.m. ET.

All games will be live-streamed on the AAC Digital Network for free. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students each day. To purchase tickets, click here.

Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Game 1 - No. 9 Truett McConnell (13-14) def. No. 8 Reinhardt (12-16), 78-77 (box)
Game 2 - No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (13-13) def. No. 10 Union Commonwealth (12-15), 77-69 (box)

Thursday, Feb. 27
Game 3 - No. 1 Pikeville (24-5) def. No. 9 Truett McConnell (13-15), 72-58 (box)
Game 4 - No. 4 Johnson (19-9) def. No. 5 Bryan (15-11), 86-70 (box)
Game 5 - No. 2 Milligan (20-9) def. No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (13-14), 69-60 (box)
Game 6 - No. 6 Montreat (19-10) def. No. 3 Columbia International (19-7), 82-79 (box)

Friday, Feb. 28
Game 7 - No. 1 Pikeville (24-5) vs. No. 4 Johnson (19-9), 6 pm
Game 8 - No. 2 Milligan (20-9) vs. No. 6 Montreat (19-10), 8 pm

Saturday, March 1
Game 9 - Championship Game - Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 3 pm