LAKELAND, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2020) – In the eighth game of the season, the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team suffered a loss in the first game of the Southeastern University Classic to Ave Maria University Wednesday night with a score of 85-73. Ave Maria rose to a record of 6-4, while TMU fell to 4-4.

Respectfully, five Bears were featured shooting double figures on the night; freshman Ty Briscoe (17), sophomore Marlon Allen (12), junior Enocka Franky (12), freshman EJ Smith (11) and freshman Bosko Norman (10).

The Gyrenes captured a seven-point lead at the start (7-0), causing the Bears to work hard in combatting with points of their own. A Marlon Allen 3-pointer decreased the lead to only two points, giving TMU their greatest opportunity of the half to make the game even (16-14). The score remained close after a good 3-pointer from Ty Briscoe and a shot in the paint from Allen, but proved not enough due to Ave Maria securing the lead at halftime (37-32). The entire second half saw the Gyrenes continue to increase their lead, ultimately clinching the game with a final score of 85-73.

Briscoe led the Bears with 17 points, including five assists and two rebounds. Allen followed with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Franky had 12 points of his own with three rebounds. Smith individually had 11 points with five rebounds and two steals, followed by Norman who had 10 points with seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.

The Bears will compete in the second game of the SEU Classic Friday, Dec. 11, where they will face host Southeastern University with a tipoff of 4:00 p.m.