LAURINBURG, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2020) – The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team snapped their 16-game losing streak on Wednesday evening with a thrilling overtime victory at St. Andrews University (87-82). The Bears improved to 7-18, 3-17 AAC and the Knights fell to 6-18, 5-15 AAC. Last time they met, TMU won 92-86 for their third win of the season inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first half saw St. Andrews get out front by as much as eight and the Bears lead by four. However, a last second bucket by the Knights put the Bears behind by nine at the half (30-39). Although both teams went head to head throughout the first 10 minutes of the second half, St. Andrews pushed to get out front by as much as 13 (45-53), but the Bears refused to stay behind for long.

With 5:24 to go in the game, Kelton Wilson drained a 3-pointer to put TMU within three (62-65) but it was his free throw three minutes later that tied the game back up (68-68) for the first time since 10 minutes into the first half. St. Andrews scored one more time to lead by two with 2:16 remaining (68-70), but Matthew McDonough scored the tying bucket in the paint (70-70), which forced the game into overtime.

McDonough went on to spark a 7-0 scoring run for the Bears with a bucket in the paint, which gave TMU the momentum they needed to finish the game. The closest the Knights got was by three points (81-78) on a 3-pointer, but the Bears were capable of holding off St. Andrews long enough to claim their second win over the Knights on the season.

LEADERS

Freshman Marlon Allen led the way with his fourth straight double-double. Allen had 19 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, while Antonio Bonilla followed with the 17 points that he scored in 23 minutes of play. Colon added 11 points and Brent Kelly led with four assists.

UP NEXT

The Bears are set to host No. 25 Union College for their senior day on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 4:00 p.m., before another AAC road game at Allen University on Wednesday, Feb. 12.