The semifinals of the 2026 USA South Men's Basketball Tournament have concluded with second-seeded N.C. Wesleyan and top-seeded Pfeiffer gaining wins to head to the championship game.
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the host Battling Bishops set the tone early, building a 33-16 lead, before hitting a cold shooting spell which allowed third-seeded Southern Virginia to climb back within nine points at halftime. The lead for N.C. Wesleyan would grow to 14 points with 6:30 remaining in the game but the Knights put together a 21-6 run to take the lead with 14 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, the Battling Bishops' Rashod Smith drove the length of the court to hit the eventual game-winner with eight seconds remaining. After a couple of free throws, N.C. Wesleyan held on for an 84-81 victory. The Battling Bishops' Justin Burden scored a game-high 21 points to go along with a team-high six rebounds. For the Knights, DJ Green notched a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
In Misenheimer, North Carolina, Pfeiffer punched its ticket to the championship game with a 93-72 victory over fifth-seeded Methodist. The Falcons led for most of the first half until a 13-4 Monarch run put Methodist in front with just under nine minutes remaining. Pfeiffer then put together a 15-4 run to go in front for good and build a six-point halftime lead. The Falcons would not look back, outscoring Methodist 48-33 in the second 20 minutes to grab the win. Pfeiffer had five players score in double-figures, led by Justin Gaten's game-high 20 points. Additionally for the Falcons, Doug Smith notched a double-double of 11 points and ten rebounds. For the Monarchs, KJ Brooks scored a team-high 16 points.
The finals are now set as N.C. Wesleyan will travel to Pfeiffer on Saturday, February 28 for a rematch of last year's title tilt. The Falcons seek their second consecutive USA South tournament title while the Battling Bishops will attempt to capture the League Tournament crown for the sixth time.
Please continue to visit the Tournament Website for up-to-date information.
2026 USA South Men's Basketball Tournament Schedule
(All contests played at the higher-seeded team in the matchup)
First Round - Tuesday, February 24
Game 1: #5 Methodist - 82 #4 Greensboro - 70
Game 2: #6 Mary Baldwin - 73 #3 Southern Virginia - 89
Semifinals - Thursday, February 26
#5 Methodist - 72 #1 Pfeiffer - 93
#3 Southern Virginia - 81 #2 N.C. Wesleyan - 84
Final - Saturday, February 28
#2 N.C. Wesleyan at #1 Pfeiffer - 5:00pm