COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 12, 2019) – Sophomore Calvin White recorded his fourth double-double of the season on Saturday afternoon but the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team fell to Columbia International University on the road, 78-73. Last time they met, the Bears came out on top by 11 points (87-76).

The Bears dropped to 10-8, 5-7 AAC on the year while the Rams won their third straight game to improve to 10-7, 5-6 AAC on the year. CIU upset the top team in the Appalachian Athletic Conference earlier in the week, Montreat College.

SLOW START | STRONG FINISH

The Rams came out hot draining three 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the game to immediately claim the momentum. CIU pushed to lead by as many as 18 points in the first 20 minutes of regulation but the Bears worked to minimize the gap to just 10 heading into halftime (31-41) with a spark off the bench, junior Darius Thrower, who made a couple of 3-pointers.

TMU went on to outscore the Rams by five in the second half (42-37) and even came within three points multiple times throughout the final 20 minutes of play. In fact, the Bears trailed by just two (71-73) with 3:21 to go but free throws in the end proved to be the difference (78-73 final).

LEADERS

For the third straight game, senior Christian Davis led the Bears. Davis scored 22, going 6-for-12 from behind the 3-point arc. Davis also led with four assists and has now scored in double digits for seven games straight averaging 22.85 points a game.

White's double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds also led the way. Thrower scored 11, going 3-for-5 from 3-point territory, and fellow junior Kai Lambert added eight points, nine rebounds and three assists. Freshman Darius Tisby scored six and rebounded five.

UP NEXT

The Bears return to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 16, to host No. 9 Union College at 7:30 p.m.