LAURINURG, N.C. (Dec. 8, 2018) – The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team took on St. Andrews University in an Appalachian Athletic Conference overtime battle, but the Bears ultimately fell on the road on Saturday afternoon by one (67-66). The Bears dropped to 5-5, 2-5 AAC on the year while the Knights improved to 4-8, 3-4 AAC.
SPLIT HALVES | OVERTIME FALL
The Bears dominated the first five minutes of the game going on a 9-0 run. However, St. Andrews responded quickly with a couple of 3-pointers and a bucket to immediately get put themselves back in the game. In fact, the Knights went on to outscore the Bears by three in the first half (29-32) but it was TMU who outscored by three in the second half (27-24).
The Bears led by one with 22 seconds to go in the game but a St. Andrews' bucket put them up by one with 0:13 to go. Finally, it was a senior Christian Davis free throw that sent the game into overtime with nine seconds to go (56-56).
TMU was unable to score until halfway through the five-minute overtime while the Knights pushed to lead by five with 40 seconds remaining (60-65). Just 20 seconds after junior Darius Thrower entered into the game, he drained his first 3-pointer of the overtime period (63-65). Nonetheless, St. Andrews made a couple of free throws to further put the game out of reach. Thrower responded with another 3-pointer with a second to go but it proved not enough as the Knights secured their third AAC victory over the Bears (66-67).
COACH'S COMMENTS
"It is always a very close game at St. Andrews because of how hard they play," Head Coach Jon Yeh said. "I thought we gave a great effort, but we got out-toughed on one or two possessions. Darius Thrower gave us a great lift off the bench. His shots put us in position to win but we failed to close in regulation. Very frustrating."
LEADERS
Sophomore Calvin White led all scorers with a double-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds. Fellow sophomore Myles Monroe followed with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and four rebounds. Thrower added 12 points going 4-for-5 behind the 3-point arc. Davis, TMU's all-time career steals leader, tallied a total of six steals.
UP NEXT
The Bears begin their four nonconference road game streak on Friday, Dec. 14, at Stratford University. TMU will return to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 7:30 p.m., to face AAC foe Tennessee Wesleyan University.
