Union Takes AAC Tournament Crown with 74-63 Win over VI - Mar 5, 2014

Union College guard Deantray Stevens (5'10''-PG) led the way with 24 points, as the top-seeded and No. 24 Bulldogs pulled away from sixth-seeded Virginia Intermont, 74-63, to capture the 2014 Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Championship on Saturday at the MeadowView Convention Center.
With the win, Union (28-4 overall) captured their second AAC Tournament Championship in school history, and first since 2011. Virginia Intermont ends the year with a 13-16 overall record.
In the game's outset, Union took the early 9-2 lead, capped by Gerard Newby (6'6''-F) jumper in the lane at the 18-minute mark. This would be one of the bigger leads the Bulldogs had in the period, as VI kept within striking distance the whole half.
Despite things being tight throughout, the Cobras could never take the lead, despite cutting the deficit down to one point on two separate occasions. With 29 seconds left, Stevens nailed a three-pointer to put Union up by four at 34-30, and that lead held into the break for halftime.
In the second half, the Bulldogs clamped down on the defensive end to put VI away and clinch the tournament title. Union opened the period on a 13-6 run to go up double-digits at 47-36 with 13:48 left, and despite making a run at the lead a few times, the Cobras could never get closer than five points to the lead the rest of the day.
Union went back up double-figures with 1:28 left at 68-58 and never looked back the rest of the way, as the Bulldogs clinched the Tournament Championship in an impressive 11-point victory.
Overall, Stevens, who was named the AAC Tournament MVP, went over the 20-point barrier for the second straight game with his 24 point effort. The sophomore, who also went 7-of-7 from the foul line, dished out five assists and recorded four steals in the victory, as well.
VI, was led by AAC Player of the Year Joshua Hart (6'6''-F), who scored a game-high 25 points.
The 2014 All-AAC Men's Basketball Tournament Team is as follows:
Deantray Stevens (Most Valuable Player) - Union; Deante Johnson (6'8''-F) - Union; Tarik Smith (6'3''-G) - Union; Joshua Hart (6'6''-F) - Virginia Intermont; J.D. Tucker (6'2''-G) - Virginia Intermont; Cartree Pettis (6'2''-G) - Milligan.

Courtesy of AAC

AAC Tournament Final: Union - Virginia Intermont 74-63

AAC Tournament Semifinals:
Union - Milligan 92-87
Virginia Intermont - Reinhardt 80-75

All-AAC 1st Team 2014

Cole

Wood

Burse

Johnson

Hart