KINGSPORT, Tenn. (SESN) — Fans flocked to the MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort this past week for the 2025 WinWon Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Basketball Tournaments, creating a rousing atmosphere for both the men’s and women’s competitions. Hosted in Kingsport and broadcast live on the Southeast Sports Network (SESN). The tournaments drew record crowds and showcased some of the most electrifying matchups the AAC has witnessed in recent memory.
From the opening tip to the final buzzer, teams fought tooth and nail for not only the coveted conference trophies but also automatic berths to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The city of Kingsport once again proved itself an ideal stage for top-tier collegiate basketball. Local businesses, restaurants, and hotels brimmed with visitors who traveled from across the region to cheer on their favorite schools.
Both the men’s and women’s brackets provided no shortage of drama. Early upsets underlined the essence of March Madness at this level, as lower-seeded teams refused to back down against the conference’s traditional powerhouses. Enthusiastic fans packed the stands- dressed head-to-toe in their teams’ colors, and roared with every basket, block, and buzzer-beater. Meanwhile, SSEN’s on-site team captured every moment, offering expert commentary, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage. Social media snippets and live-stream highlights brought the action to those who couldn’t attend in person.
In the women’s bracket, top-seeded Milligan ultimately emerged victorious, though they needed overtime heroics in the championship game to topple a determined Tennessee Wesleyan squad. Over on the men’s side, Milligan once again came out on top—this time as the No. 2 seed—outlasting fourth-seeded Johnson in a nail-biter. The Buffaloes’ historic run in both tournaments amplified the excitement, as Milligan supporters turned out in droves to see their teams march toward glory.
With full replays of the men’s and women’s championship games available for on-demand viewing, fans can relive every clutch shot and defensive stand. Additionally, highlight reels capturing the most pivotal moments will be accessible via SESN’s digital platforms.
MEN’S TOURNAMENT RECAP
The men’s bracket brought drama from the opening round to the final seconds. In a display that highlighted the conference’s depth of talent, second-seeded Milligan emerged as the ultimate victor, claiming its first-ever AAC Men’s Basketball Tournament title with a 67-64 win over fourth-seeded Johnson.
With 10 teams vying for the championship, the early rounds did not disappoint. Ninth-seeded Truett McConnell stunned No. 8 Reinhardt, 78-77, setting the tone for close finishes. Another underdog story emerged when No. 6 Montreat toppled third-seeded Columbia International in the quarterfinals, proving that anything could happen in this year’s tourney.
By the semifinals, the bracket featured top-seeded Pikeville, Johnson, Milligan, and Montreat, each hungry for a spot in Saturday’s championship game. Johnson shocked the crowd by toppling Pikeville, 78-73, while Milligan bested Montreat with a balanced attack, 80-60.
Relive Milligan’s thrilling 67-64 triumph over Johnson from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
The final lived up to its billing. Johnson held a 40-35 halftime edge after a late 5-0 run, and maintained a slim lead for much of the second half. Down 63-59, Milligan’s Luke Lentz drained a clutch 3-pointer to narrow the deficit to one. Moments later, two free throws from Jayme Peay gave the Buffaloes a 64-63 lead. From that point on, Milligan never trailed, securing the 67-64 victory and its inaugural AAC men’s crown.
Milligan’s McCaskill Rivers earned Tournament MVP honors with 23 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in the title bout. Also named to the All-Tournament Team were his teammates Handje Tamba and Elijah Bredwood, along with Johnson’s Isaiah Poore and Mason Lockhart, Pikeville’s Bradley Bunch, and Montreat’s Jack Keller. The championship clinched an automatic NAIA National Championship Tournament berth for the Buffaloes, while Johnson’s inspiring run left no doubt they can contend with the best in the conference.
Check out the most memorable plays, including tide-turning 3-pointers and critical defensive stops.
WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT RECAP
If the men’s side offered ample suspense, the women’s bracket was every bit as captivating—culminating in an overtime championship showdown between top-seeded Milligan and seventh-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan. Ultimately, the Buffaloes prevailed, 79-75, in a contest that bristled with late-game drama.
Tennessee Wesleyan stunned fans early with a blazing start, grabbing a 20-11 lead after the first quarter. They held the advantage for much of regulation, warding off Milligan’s repeated surges. Down six with under five minutes to play, Milligan rallied for a 9-0 run to grab a 66-63 lead with just 14 seconds left on the clock. Unfazed, Tennessee Wesleyan’s Jacelyn Stone nailed a game-tying 3-pointer at the nine-second mark, forcing overtime at 66-all.
In the extra period, the Bulldogs struck first, but Milligan responded with a decisive 9-0 surge to go up 77-72. A 3-pointer by Lauren Longmire gave the Buffaloes the lead, while clutch free throws from Jaycie Jenkins helped seal the outcome. Another Stone triple made it a two-point game with seconds left, but Milligan’s final foul shots iced the 79-75 win and set off raucous celebrations.
Watch the entire 79-75 overtime epic between Milligan and Tennessee Wesleyan.
Jenkins powered Milligan with 23 points and 15 rebounds to earn Tournament MVP honors. Longmire and Semaj Clark also claimed All-Tournament recognition. Meanwhile, Stone put on a spectacular display for Tennessee Wesleyan by scoring 39 points, while teammate Jalaya Lindsey added 17. Both joined Jenkins on the All-Tournament Team, alongside Pikeville’s Allie Stone and Reinhardt’s Laphina Campbell.
Since Milligan had already earned an automatic NAIA berth as regular-season champion, conference co-champion Johnson received the AAC’s second bid. Tennessee Wesleyan’s improbable run from the No. 7 seed to an overtime thriller in the championship turned heads, highlighting the depth of competition within the AAC.
See the most pulse-pounding moments from one of the tournament’s all-time great finals.
TUNE IN AND BE WITH US
As the final echoes of cheers fade from the MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort, there’s no denying that the 2025 WinWon AAC Basketball Tournaments delivered on every front. The city of Kingsport once again provided the perfect setting, blending hospitality, local flair, and a communal passion for sports that elevated every aspect of the experience.
Both brackets underlined just how competitive this conference has become. Milligan’s double triumph will go down in AAC lore, but the remarkable efforts of teams like Tennessee Wesleyan, Johnson, Pikeville, and Montreat reinforced the notion that every seed can surprise at any moment. Beyond the court, the tournaments generated a substantial economic boost for Kingsport as fans and alumni arrived in droves, demonstrating the powerful link between collegiate athletics and local communities.
SESN, known for its comprehensive collegiate sports broadcasts—including last year’s high-energy “The Show” basketball showcase—delivered extensive, multi-platform coverage of this year’s championship. Whether you attended in person or tuned in from home, you couldn’t have missed a single three-pointer, fast break, or last-second shot.
The excitement doesn’t end here. With replays of each championship game available on SESN, plus highlight reels capturing the best plays, fans can stay engaged long after the nets have been cut down. As Milligan’s men’s and women’s squads prepare for the NAIA National Championship Tournaments, followers of AAC basketball can look forward to more thrilling matchups on an even bigger stage.
How to Watch:
- Amazon Fire TV: Access SESN’s free Fire TV app on Amazon Firestick or Amazon-enabled TVs for live and archived matches.
- SESNsports.com: Watch the games live on the official SESN website, sesnsports.com, optimized for streaming on any device.
- Twitch TV & YouTube: Tune in to live coverage on Twitch TV and YouTube, providing fans with multiple viewing options.
If you couldn’t be part of the action this time, start making plans for next year. Kingsport is ready to roll out the red carpet again, and SESN—together with NSBN—will be back with in-depth coverage, behind-the-scenes stories, and high-definition broadcasts. Experience the echoing crowd, the pivotal moments, and the unbreakable team spirit that define the AAC—either courtside in Kingsport or from the comfort of home.
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