Cleveland, Ga. - The Truett-McConnell men's basketball team dropped their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contest this Wednesday, Nov. 12 to the Bulldogs of Union College. Currently No. 16 in the nation, the Bulldogs posted a 32-point victory over the Bears with a final score of 77-45.

The first half started off close between the two AAC schools. Union had a two-point advantage at the 14 minute mark, the score showing 10-8. The Bears continued to play an aggressive offense, but Union soon began to distance themselves from the home team. After a big run by the Bulldogs, the score showed 23-10 with 10 minutes remaining in the period.

The Bears, awakened by Union's 13-2 run, began to run their offense over the Bulldogs with relentless force. Although they continued to score back-to-back with Union, the Bears were unable to overcome the lead the Bulldogs had established earlier in the half. As the game rolled into halftime, the Bears trailed the Bulldogs 39-25. 

The Bears started off the second half much like the first, going shot-for-shot with the Bulldogs for the first few minutes. Just as in the first half, the Bulldogs started to move further ahead of the Bears as the period progressed. No. 16 Union was relentless in their offensive attack, using their size and strength as an advantage over the Bears. With only 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Bears faced a 20-point deficit as the Bulldogs led 59-39. 

The last 10 minutes proved favorable to the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, finishing the game with a 32-point advantage over the Bears.

This contest was the lowest-scoring game so far for the Bears 2014-15 season. Offensively, Rudy Deaza and Alex Ho-on led the Bears with 8 points each. J'Quayveon Williams and Trae Jackson were only a step behind, each of them contributing 6 points. Junior Xavier Holland again led the Bears in assists, totaling 5 in the AAC contest. 

In the rebounds category, Williams and Daniel Beauseiour led the squad with four rebounds apiece. This is the lowest number of rebounds Williams has recorded this season, five less than the nine he recorded at Hiwasee College. Despite the low number recorded against Union, Williams is currently ranked 9th in the nation for Total Rebounds per Game with 10.250.

With the loss, the men's basketball team is currently 2-2 overall, and 0-1 in AAC play. The Bears are back in action Saturday, Nov. 15 when they play host to NAIA institution Thomas University. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.