Ram Tough: CIU Wins 4 Games in 4 Days to Claim Men's Basketball Tournament Title

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - For the first time in program history, Columbia International is the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Baskeball Tournament chanmpion.

The Rams outlasted the fifth-seeded Lions of Bryan 63-58 in a back-and-forth tilt for the crown.

Columbia International are only the second team in conference history to win four games in the tournament, joining Union who did so to capture the 2021 crown. However, the Rams are the only team to ever win four games in four days in winning the tournament.

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

The first half was series of runs by the teams with Bryan having the last say before the break, claiming a 29-25 lead at intermission.

Bryan looked to be on its way to seizing control of the game, opening the second half with a 5-0 spurt to take a 34-25 advantage by the 18:55 mark. However, Columbia International started chipping away at the deficit, eventually tying the game at 40-all on a Jaylan Jeter free throw with 13:13 left. A Jamari Bostic bucket got Bryan within 51-50 with 5:56 left. But the Rams took over at that point, slowly adding to their lead en route to the 63-58 win.

Skyler McKinney led all scorers with 19 points as he was named the Tournament MVP. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team were Darrian Oates and Dianthony Heathcock of Columbia International; Bostic and Noah Mulaski of Bryan; Markelle Turner of Union; and Michael Erbeck of Montreat.

By virtue of winning the tournament, Columbia International receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Union also receives an automatic berth by virtue of winning the regular-season championship. The national bracket will be announced Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

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. 5 Bryan (16-13) def. No. 1 Union (27-2), 67-65 (box)
Game 8 - No. 7 Columbia International (17-13) def. No. 3 Montreat (18-11), 77-67 (box)

Saturday, Feb. 25
Game 9 - Championship Game - No. 7 Columbia International (18-13) def. No. 5 Bryan (16-14), 63-58 (box)