An uncharacteristically poor shooting performance by Truett McConnell spoiled Saturday's regular season finale. The Bears fell 81-66 to Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Bluefield College (Va.). The Bears shot just 35 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point range.  

"Basketball is a strange game. We practiced really well on Friday and executed our zone offensive sets with precision," said Bears Head Coach Jon Yeh. "This afternoon? Not so much. For the most part, we took really good shots . . . open shots that we want our guys taking . . . and we just bricked them."

Bluefield owned the upper hand most of the game. A Jorge Concepcion 3-pointer got the Rams on the board. An early five-point run led by senior Mario Westbrooks, Myles Monroe, and Jacob Booke got the Bears their only lead of the game at the 18:00 mark. Then it was all Bluefield.

The Rams led by 10 or more points multiple times in the first half. But the Bears would claw back each time. A Christian Davis 3-pointer trimmed the lead to 36-35 with 40 seconds remaining. However, Bluefield closed the half with two buckets, including a buzzer beater by guard Shawn Robinson.

The Rams extended the lead to 44-35 in the first four minutes of the second half before TMU showed some life. Booke knocked down a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer. Junior Stephen Stuart gave the hosts a big jolt with a 3-point play to make the score 44-43 with 14:05 remaining. It was as close as the Bears would get.

Westbrooks paced the Bears with 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting. Booke was the only other Bear in double figures with 10 points. Freshman Calvin White, the team's leading rebounder on the season, collected 11 rebounds.

After the game, the Bears honored their three seniors:  Eddie Hurst (Helen, Ga.), Westbrooks (Columbus, Ga.), and David Campbell, Jr. (Lake Wales, Fla.). Being a graduate student, it is Hurst's first year playing collegiate basketball. During his time at TMU, Westbrooks ranks second in career offensive rebounds, fourth in career rebounds, and ninth in career scoring. Campbell will finish his career as one of the most prolific players in school history. He is in the top 10 in a host of career categories:  scoring, made field goals, made 3-point field goals, made free throws, attempted free throws, steals, and assists.

Truett McConnell finishes the regular season at 18-12. The Bears wind up in 7^th place in the AAC with a 10-10 record, just one game out of a tie for third place. TMU's season will continue this week at the AAC Tournament in Kingsport, Tenn. The Bears will face the No. 2 seed Milligan College on Thursday.