Reinhardt, Pikeville to Meet in Women's Basketball Tournament Title Game

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Fourth-seeded Pikeville pounced on top-seeded Bryan to punch its ticket to the 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Basketball Tournament championship game, where it will meet up with No. 2 seed Reinhardt.

Pikeville stood toe-to-toe with Bryan throughout the game until it mounted a late run to pull away for the 74-63 victory. Early in the fourth, Bryan pulled within one (52-51). However, Bailey Frazier netted the next six points and scored nine of the game's next 12 points as Pikeville opened up a 61-54 lead with 4:52 to play. The Lady Bears pushed the margin to 11 en route to the win.

Frazier led Pikeville with 22 points, while Allie Stone added 19. India Blyth knocked in 17 points, and Morgan Stamper posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Kaitlynn Hennessee paced Bryan with a game-high 24 points.

In the other semifinal game, Reinhardt jumped out to a 17-2 lead by the 3:46 mark in the opening quarter and never looked back. Milligan tried to rally but couldn't get the margin closer than six at any point in the contest.

Tarrah Gibson once again set the tone for Reinhardt, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six steals. Ty Williams and Maria Sanchez Ponce followed with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Jaycie Jenkins led Milligan with 14 points.

Reinhardt and Pikeville will square off for the tournament title on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 29
Game 1 - No. 8 Truett McConnell (12-17) def. No. 9 Columbia (12-17), 55-44 (box)
Game 2 - No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (13-12) def. No. 10 Union (8-21), 65-63 (box)

Thursday, Feb. 29
Game 3 - No. 1 Bryan (24-5) def. No. 8 Truett McConnell (12-18), 75-49 (box)
Game 4 - No. 4 Pikeville (22-7) def. No. 5 Johnson (17-12), 75-66 (box).
Game 5 - No. 2 Reinhardt (25-2) def. No. 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (13-13), 56-42 (box)
Game 6 - No. 3 Milligan (23-6) def. No. 6 Montreat (16-13), 61-46 (box)

Friday, March 1
Game 7 - No. 4 Pikeville (23-7) def. No. 1 Bryan (24-6), 74-63 (box)
Game 8 - No. 2 Reinhardt (26-2) vs. No. 3 Milligan (23-7), 76-60 (box)

Saturday, March 2
Game 9 - Championship Game - No. 4 Pikeville (23-7) vs. No. 2 Reinhardt (26-2), 3 p.m.