CLEVELAND, Ga. (Jan. 12, 2021) – With 0.3 seconds remaining on the clock, a Truett McConnell University women's basketball defensive foul was called to send Tennessee Wesleyan University to the free throw line to win the Appalachian Athletic Conference contest by a single point (78-77) inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Tuesday evening. The Lady Bears fell to 5-10, 2-10 AAC on the season, while the Bulldogs won their third straight game (5-2, 5-2 AAC).
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Lady Bears outscored in all quarters of regulation, except for the fourth. After a 9-8 first, TMU went on to dominate the second opening up the quarter on a 13-0 scoring run to get ahead by as much as 14 (21-7). The Bulldogs, however, managed to cut the deficit down to seven just before the half (23-16). Nonetheless, the Lady Bears didn't let up in the third as they outscored once more by six (17-11), but it was only up from there for TWU.
 
The Bulldogs held the Lady Bears scoreless for seven minutes, which allowed them to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter on a pair of free throws (40-41) with 3:32 to go. Freshman Sydnie Smith, however, found sophomore Brenna Tate in the corner to tie it back up with a 3-pointer with 25 seconds to go (45-45). Both teams went back and forth once more with a bucket in the paint apiece, which put the game tied at 47-47 with three seconds remaining. The Bulldogs, however, capitalized on the TMU foul at the free throw line (47-48) to claim the AAC win in comeback fashion.
 
LEADERS
Junior Jessica Jackson led the way with a season high of 13 points, which included three 3-pointers, while senior Sierra Kendall led with 11 rebounds and four blocks. Tate followed with nine points, including going 2-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc. Smith was credited seven assists and led alongside Natalie Nixon with two steals. Camilla Howell added three assists.
 
UP NEXT
TMU will host AAC foe Columbia College on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 2:00 p.m.