CLEVELAND, GA. (Jan. 7, 2020) – After Xavier Latore scored the tying bucket with six seconds left in the regulation, the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker in overtime (74-70) against Reinhardt University on Tuesday evening inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena. Last time they met earlier in the season, the Bears defeated the Eagles on the road in regulation (69-54).
TMU fell to 6-10, 2-9Â AAC on the year, while the Eagles improved to 5-12, 4-8 AAC.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first five minutes of regulation saw the Bears lead by as much as six points (10-4) after an Antonio Bonilla 3-pointer, but Reinhardt tied it back up 14-14 with a 3-pointer of their own with 11 minutes before the half. The Eagles also got out front by as much as six points in the last 11 minutes of the first half, but Bonilla's two free throws sparked a strong 5-0 closing run by the Bears to cut their deficit to one point at halftime (28-29).
Reinhardt came out in the second half to lead the first nine minutes but Spencer Smith came off the bench to give TMU their first lead of the half with a bucket in the paint (44-43). The lead went on to change three more times in the final 11 minutes of regulation. With 45 seconds to go, the Eagles went 1-for-2 from the free throw line to lead by four (58-62) but Bonilla's offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer led to his bucket in the paint that put them behind by two with 27 seconds remaining (60-62). After holding Reinhardt scoreless on the next drive, Latore scored the tying basket to send the game into overtime (62-62).
TMU went on to lead by four points with 2:39 to go in overtime (68-64), but Reinhardt held the Bears to just two more points and scored 10 themselves.
LEADERS
Enocka Franky and Bonilla led the team with double-doubles of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Marlon Allen followed with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Allen and Franky led with two blocks apiece. Darius Thrower also added 10 points. Cristian Colon was credited four assists, while Bonilla was had three.
UP NEXT
The Bears will hit the road for another AAC matchup on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Milligan College. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. TMU will return home Saturday, Jan. 11, at 4:00 p.m., to host Kentucky Christian University.
