KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Tournament Most Valuable Player Bailey Frazier poured career highs with 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead the University of Pikeville to the championship of the AAC tournament with an 85-79 double-overtime win over Reinhardt (Ga.) University on Saturday afternoon.
 
The win for the fourth-seeded Bears gives them a title in their first season in the conference and their first in women's basketball since winning the 1998 KIAC title at Brescia University. UPike will head to the national tournament on a nine-game winning streak with a record of 24-7.
 
Frazier was joined in the heroics by Morgan Stamper, who scored 24 and pulled down a career high 25 while breaking her own single-season record with 403 to this point in the season. She had 400 as a sophomore in the 2021-22 season.
 
Her 25 rebounds is also a new AAC tournament record.
 
Frazier was joined on the all-tournament team by Stamper and Allie Stone.
 
The most pressure-packed point of the night came with 0.6 seconds left in the first overtime. Reinhardt led 66-64 but Frazier calmly stepped to the line and sank two free throws to send the game to the second extra period.
 
The second overtime started with Frazier scoring on a layup with 4:33 left, and the Bears never trailed again.
 
UPike went 11-for-13 from the free throw line in the second overtime; the parade was led by sophomore Allie Stone, who was 7-of-8 to finish with 22 points to go with seven rebounds.
 
Reinhardt led 18-16 after a Ty Williams layup with 6:33 left in the half before the Bears went on a prolonged run to take control at the break.
 
It began with a layup inside by Stamper, followed by a tipin by Frazier to give the Bears a 20-18 lead. After Maria Sanhez-Ponce tied it for the Eagles, Julia Parker broke free for a layup, Stone hit a jumper, Frazier scored again and Bailey Birchfield followed her on miss for a putback.
 
Sanchez-Ponce slowed the run with a basket for Reinhardt before Stamper had a layup, Frazier again scored on a putback and Stone sank a free throw.
 
The Bears had scored the Eagles 17-4 in a 5:21 stretch and led 33-22 with 1:23 left. It went to the half at 33-24.
 
The third period saw Reinhardt assert itself, and consecutive baskets by Avanna Preston and Niya Moon with 2:40 left in the quarter gave it a 46-45 lead. A free throw by Jaidy Mejia-Andrade tied it to end the frame.
 
UPike had a chance to win it in regulation but failed to convert on three shots after the game was tied, going to overtime locked at 60.
 
Reinhardt got 28 points from Ashley Woodroffe, while Sanchez-Ponce finished with 23.
 
The University of Pikeville will find out its next opponent and opening-round site when the NAIA has its selection show on Thursday, March 9 at 8 p.m. EST.