Bryan, CIU Score Upsets in Men's Basketball Quarterfinal Round

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Columbia International continues to roll, and Bryan netted an upset as well during the quarterfinal round of the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Baskeball Tournament on Thursday.

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

Union opened the day with a 75-66 win over Truett McConnell, while Bryan knocked off No. 4 seed Tennessee Wesleyan 79-69. CIU then took down second-seeded Reinhardt 82-71, and Montreat capped off the day with a 69-57 victory against No. 6 seed Point.

UNION 75, TRUETT MCCONNELL 66

Truett McConnell was scrappy but Union held the lead for the vast majority of the game, leading 37-29 at the break and outscoring the Bears 38-37 in the second half. Markelo Sullivan posted a double-double for the Bulldogs with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Markelle Turner finished with 21 points. Terrin Hamilton also registered a double-double for Union with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

BRYAN 79, TWU 69

The Lions owned a 29-21 lead at the half before cranking up their offense. Bryan tallied 50 second-half points in notching the 10-point win.

Jamari Bostic came off the bench to knock in 25 points to go along with 14 rebounds for Bryan, while Ian Johnson netted 20 points.

CIU 82, REINHARDT 71

Down four at the half, CIU came out on fire in the second half, hitting 56.7 percent from the field during the final 20 points. The Rams outscored the Eagles 48-33 in the second half en route to the 11-point upset win.

Darrian Oates led CIU with 30 points, going 15-for-15 from the free-throw line, while Dianthony Heathcock chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds.

MONTREAT 69, POINT 57

Up one at the break, Montreat steadily added to its lead. Once it reached double-digits, Point did not have an answer.

Michael Erbeck paced the Cavaliers with 22 points and 10 rebounds with Darius Bryant adding 12 points.

Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Game 1 - No. 9 Truett McConnell (13-16) def. No. 8 Milligan (12-16), 81-69 (box)
Game 2 - No. 7 Columbia International (15-13) def. No. 10 Bluefield (10-19), 68-51 (box)

Thursday, Feb. 23 Game 3 - No. 1 Union (27-1) def. No. 9 Truett McConnell (13-17), 75-66 (box)
Game 4 - No. 5 Bryan (15-13) def. No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan (15-11), 79-69  (box)
Game 5 - No. 7 Columbia International (16-13) def. No. 2 Reinhardt (15-13), 82-71 (box)
Game 6 - No. 3 Montreat (18-10) vs. No. 6 Point (15-14), 69-57 (box)

Friday, Feb. 24
Game 7 - No. 1 Union (27-1) vs. No. 5 Bryan (15-13), 6 pm
Game 8 - No. 7 Columbia International (16-13) vs. No. 3 Montreat (18-10), 8 pm

Saturday, Feb. 25
Game 9 - Championship Game - Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 3 pm

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.