DAYTON, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2020) – The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team lost in the closing seconds at Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Bryan College (80-78), despite senior Darius Thrower's career night of 23 points on Wednesday evening.

The Lions improved to 10-10, 9-7 on the year, while the Bears fell to 6-15, 2-14 AAC. Last time they met, Bryan beat TMU inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena 81-69.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

The first 20 minutes of regulation saw a tight race as the score tied five times and each team led by as much as four points apiece. Thrower, however, buried his fourth 3-pointer of the first half with three seconds to go before halftime to give the Bears a two-point lead (38-36).

The second half saw the Bears get out front by as much as 11 points within the first four minutes (49-38), but the Lions eventually tied it back up with 6:53 to go (64-64). The score tied four more times the rest of regulation. A few free throws allowed a tied game (78-78) with 49 seconds to go, but Bryan managed to score on an and-1 to clinch their second win over TMU (78-80).

Overall, the Lions outscored the Bears in the paint 50-24 but TMU drained 13 3-pointers in comparison to Bryan's four.

LEADERS

Thrower led all scorers with 23 points, including going 7-for-11 from behind the 3-point arc. Enocka Franky and Antonio Bonilla followed with 15 points apiece, while Marlon Allen added 11 points and seven rebounds. Brent Kelly was credited seven assists.

UP NEXT

The Bears return home to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena to host Milligan College on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 4:00 p.m.