ATHENS, Tenn. | The Truett McConnell women's basketball team fell in an early 19-4 hole and fell to Tennessee Wesleyan, 63-55, Saturday afternoon. The Bears are 3-3 and 1-1 in AAC play.

TMU fell behind early and had to play catch up throughout the first three quarters of play. The Bears took their first lead of the game on the opening possession of the fourth quarter when Janae' Simpson hit a jumper from the elbow with 9:51 left to play.

The Bears and Bulldogs went back and forth throughout the next five minutes, with neither team leading by more than two. TMU took the lead at 55-54 with 4:49 left but then went cold from the field as TWU finished the game on a 9-0 run to earn the win.

Ariana Sanders led Truett McConnell with 21 points on 6-19 shooting. Simpson finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.

TMU will play one more game before Thanksgiving on Tuesday as the Bears travel to Milligan. Tip time is 5:30 p.m.