The Bryan College men's basketball team saw its season come to an end in the quarterfinals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament, falling 86-70 to Johnson University on Thursday afternoon in Kingsport, Tennessee. The game also marked the final contest for longtime head coach Don Rekoske, who is retiring after 21 seasons leading the Lions.

Game Recap:

• The Lions got off to a slow start, trailing 44-34 at halftime, and struggled to keep pace with Johnson's offense in the second half.
• Bryan shot 45.5% from the field but was held to just 26.3% from three-point range, making only 5-of-19 attempts.
• Johnson controlled the boards, out-rebounding Bryan 44-31 and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.

Key Performances:

• Dalen Gales led the way for the Lions with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
• Trey Morrow added 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
• Ian Johnson finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
• Xavier Fisher provided a spark off the bench, scoring 11 points.
• Kheller Die and Regale Moore combined for 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Coach Rekoske's Final Game

Coach Don Rekoske wraps up his 21st season as head coach of the Lions, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and success. Under his tenure, Bryan has remained a strong competitor in the AAC, developing players both on and off the court.

While the season comes to a close, the Lions will look to build on this year's success and carry momentum into the future as they transition to a new era of Bryan basketball.