CLEVELAND, Ga. (Dec. 14, 2019) – The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team led by as many as 21 points in the first half, but the Bears were unable to maintain the momentum as Allen University made a comeback to win in regulation by 10 (93-83). The Bears fell to 6-6, 2-6 AAC on Saturday evening inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena, while the Yellow Jackets improved to 10-3, 9-3 AAC on the year to remain number two in the AAC rankings.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
After Allen won the tip to score an immediate bucket, Xavier Latore drained a 3-pointer to spark a 10-0 scoring run to put TMU ahead by eight three minutes into the regulation (10-2). TMU went on another strong scoring run (14-3) to lead by 16 (28-12) but it was Antonio Bonilla's second straight 3-pointer that gave the Bears their largest lead of the night (37-16) with 6:54 to go before halftime. However, the Yellow Jackets got back within 10 (46-36) just before the halftime buzzer and it was only up from there.
 
Although the Bears got out front by 13 (61-48) with 14:25 to go, Allen rallied to tie the game up at 68-68 with 7:54 to go. The Yellow Jackets went on to steal the lead for the first time since the opening minute of the game with 6:30 to go (73-74). In fact, Allen went on an aggressive 10-0 scoring run in a matter of two minutes, which ultimately proved to be the difference. Allen ended up outscoring the Bears by 20 points in the second half (57-37).
 
The Bears outscored the Yellow Jackets from behind the 3-point arc (12 vs. 6) but Allen outscored TMU in the paint by 22 (48-26).
 
KELLY'S RECORD-BREAKING NIGHT | TMU LEADERS
Brent Kelly shattered TMU's previous record of most assists in a single game (12 in 2009) with a total of 16 on the night. The freshman guard currently averages 4.91 assists per game, which ranks within the top 30 in the NAIA DII.
 
Enocka Franky led all scorers with 20 points, while adding five rebounds and two blocks. Franky currently ranks number six in the country in offensive rebounds per game (3.8), number 13 in total rebounds per game (10.1), number 18 in blocks per game (1.9) and number 20 in total blocks (19).
 
Bonilla and Thrower followed with 16 points, including four 3-pointers apiece. Thrower went 4-for-7 from behind the 3-point arc and all of Bonilla's 16 points came in the first half. Latore scored 12 points in 14 minutes of play, including 2-for-2 from the 3-point line. Marlon Allen added 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Kelly also tallied seven rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The Bears are on the road for four straight road games before returning to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena to host AAC foe Reinhardt University on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m.