SPARTANBURG, S.C. –2026 Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship final will feature to two first-time finalists as Chowan University defeated top seed UNC Pembroke and Young Harris College topped Emmanuel University.
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 1 UNC Pembroke 93-87
In a game where Chown lead nearly wire-to-wire, the Hawks held off a late UNC Pembroke rally to earn the victory and advance to their first Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship title game. The Hawks shot 57.7 percent in the opening half, and opened up a an 11-point lead with five minutes remaining in the half, their largest advantage of the game at 39-28. Chowan then led 48-38 the half.
Chowan again led by 11, 64-53 in the second half, but UNC Pembroke went on a run. The Braves scored 13 of the next 15 points to even the score at 66 midway through the second half. However, the Hawks scored the next nine points to regain a 75-66 advantage. The Braves pulled within three multiple times down the stretch, but Chowan responded each time to take the contest.
Chowan’s 48 attempted free throws in the contest are believed to be a Conference Carolinas championship record, based on available records. Joseph Lezeau II led Chowan with 25 points while Eric Gordon Jr. followed with 19 points. Moe Bangura led UNC Pembroke with 27 points.
This marks the first time Chowan will play in the Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship final.
No. 2 Young Harris def. No. 6 Emmanuel 71-68
In a game that Young Harris led for less than three minutes, the Mountain Lions topped Emmanuel 71-68 thanks to a late run. Emmanuel jumped out to an 8-2 run in the opening minutes and earned the largest lead of 23-9 midway through the period. Young Harris chipped away at the deficit, but Emmanuel led 39-34 at the half.
Midway through the second half, Young Harris evened the tall at 52, but Emmanuel responded to regain the lead. The Mountain Lions then scored six straight points to take a 64-63 lead with four minutes remaining. Sam Thacker then connected from long range to give the lead back to Emmanuel. Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, Carl Cleveland then tipped in a rebound, giving Young Harris a 67-66 lead with 1:33 remaining before the score was tied at 68 in the final minute. A free throw from Justin Payne gave Young Harris a one-point lead with 26 seconds remaining before Young Harris turned a missed shot into a layup to take a 71-68 lead with 11 seconds to play. The final Emmanuel shot was off the mark, giving the Mountain Lions the win.
Cleveland tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds for Young Harris while Payne led the way with 22 points. Devin Story led Emmanuel with 16 points.
This marks the first time Young Harris will play in the Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship final.
Young Harris will take on Chowan on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship final.
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2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship
First Round – Sunday, March 1 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
No. 9 King def. No. 10 Mount Olive, 95-94
BOX SCORE
No. 8 Southern Wesleyan def. No. 11 Francis Marion, 96-93
BOX SCORE
No. 7 Barton def. No. 12 Shorter, 93-68
BOX SCORE
Second Round – Monday, March 2 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
No. 9 King def. No. 4 North Greenville, 96-93
BOX SCORE
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 8 Southern Wesleyan, 104-95
BOX SCORE
No. 6 Emmanuel def. No. 7 Barton, 81-77 (OT)
BOX SCORE
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 7 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 9 King, 79-76
BOX SCORE | CHOWAN PRESS CONFERENCE | KING PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 6 Emmanuel def. No. 3 Ferrum, 73-67
BOX SCORE | EMMANUEL PRESS CONFERENCE | FERRUM PRESS CONFERENCE
Semifinals – Saturday, March 7 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 1 UNC Pembroke, 93-87
BOX SCORE | CHOWAN PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 2 Young Harris def. No. 6 Emmanuel, 71-68
BOX SCORE | YOUNG HARRIS PRESS CONFERENCE
Final – Sunday, March 8 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Chowan vs. No. 2 Young Harris, 1:00 p.m.