Arkansas Baptist Captures 2026 CAC Men's Basketball Championship

Arkansas Baptist College put together a potent late stretch to pull away from Georgia Gwinnett College for an 82-78 victory on Sunday to capture the 2026 Continental Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship following four exciting days of action on the court at GGC's Convocation Center.

Arkansas Baptist (18-9) and GGC (25-6) will now represent the CAC in the NAIA national tournament. The NAIA's First and Second Round tournament assignments will be announced on Thursday, March 5.

In a game that features numerous offensive streaks by both teams, it was the No. 2-seeded Buffaloes that outscored the tournament hosts by an 8-4 margin across the final 2:18 to break away from a 74-74 tie to take home the four-point victory. Javion Johnson started the Buffaloes' late rally with a three-point play, on a layup and free throw, after a steal. Treylon Swayzer followed with tip-in, Lequan Washington had a layup and Tray'von Thomas made a free throw to account for the team's late eight-point offensive spurt.

GGC had opened the second half aggressively, getting a three-point play on a dunk and free throw from Javion Johnson, a 3-point field goal by Jahiem Berry, and a layup from Deonte' Martinez in the first two minutes to take a 10-point edge, at 46-36.

However, Arkansas Baptist answered with a 10-0 offensive run of its own, getting layups from Christopher Hood and Thomas, a dunk from Timothy Palmar, and a layup from Ty'Reonn King to tie the game at 46-46 with 15:02 remaining in the game.

The lead switched hands several times and no team opened more than a four-point advantage before the final decisive 2:18 stretch of the game.

The Buffaloes came out strong in the contest, making three of their first six shots – all 3-pointers. They ended up making six of their 14 long-range field goals (shooting 42 percent).

Johnson had a game-high 19 points to lead four double-digit scorers that carried Arkansas Baptist to the championship. Washington followed closely with 18 points, King had 16 points (on 3-for-4 from 3-point range) and Hood added 11 points.

King was named the Most Outstanding Player of the CAC Championship tournament. He was joined by teammates Swayzer and Washington on the all-tournament team.

CAC Player of the Year Devontre Chaney carried GGC offensively with 17 points, while Martinez had 13 points and Mario Hill Jr. added 10 points. Chaney and Hill Jr. were named to the all-tournament team.

2026 Continental Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team

            Most Outstanding Player: Ty'Reonn King, Arkansas Baptist College

Treylon Swayzer, Arkansas Baptist College

Lequan Washington, Arkansas Baptist College

Mario Hill Jr., Georgia Gwinnett College

Devontre Chaney, Georgia Gwinnett College

Allen Lattimore, Fisher College

Malik Beauford, Florida College