KINGSPORT, Tenn - A contested finish from Jalen Brinson forced overtime, and CIU men's basketball defeated Pikeville (Ky.) 91-86 to make a return trip to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game. The Ram's semifinal win over the Bears on Friday is the first in CIU program history, as the Rams lost to the AAC newcomer in both of their regular-season matchups.

Both teams proved evenly matched from the jump as the Rams clung to an 18-17 lead just under the first half's ten-minute mark on a Bryce Causey layup. The Bears would then hold a slight edge for the rest of the frame. A Darrian Oates layup would trim the advantage to 31-29 (4:18), but CIU would fall behind by six, 44-38, at the break.

The Rams would not tie the game or take the lead until the 2:25 mark in the second half, when they tied the game at 69-69 on a Brinson layup. The Rams then found themselves down two (73-71) with less than 20 ticks left on the clock. Brinson stepped up yet again, drawing the foul and scoring inside. He would miss the free throw but still send the game into overtime. 

The Rams controlled the game in the extra period with a statement and-one dunk from DiAnthony Heathcock, putting a bow on the game as the Rams pulled out the clutch five-point win. 

Oates led the Rams with 27 points, going a perfect 13-for-13 from the foul line. Heathcock and Brinson each scored 15 points, with Heathcock a rebound away from a double-double with nine boards. 

Causey was the Rams' fourth player in double figures, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

What Coach Tony Stockman is saying: "Proud of our guys' fight tonight, even when we trailed almost the entire game. I can't say enough about the veterans on this team; experience is what wins postseason basketball games. Looking forward to defending our conference title tomorrow."

Up Next: CIU will try to win consecutive AAC Tournament Championships as they play No. 1 seeded Union (Ky.) at 1:00 p.m. EST in the title game.