ATHENS, Tenn. (Jan. 23, 2021) – The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team went face to face with Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Tennessee Wesleyan University Saturday, able to steal an AAC victory, outshooting the Bulldogs in both halves (39-37, 53-39), with a final score of 92-76. The Bears rose to a season record of 5-12, 2-9 AAC, while the Bulldogs fell to 9-6, 7-6 AAC.

Most notable, sophomore Enocka Franky led with a double-double of 32 points and 13 rebounds, followed by freshman Ty Briscoe who tallied a total of 30 points.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bears were first to hit the board with an EJ Smith 3-pointer (3-0), followed by another 3-pointer by Briscoe to increase the lead (6-2). At the 15th minute, the Bulldogs went up by one (6-7), but TMU immediately retaliated with a good 2-pointer from RJ Bryant to take back the lead (8-7). Both teams were neck and neck for the remainder of the half but the seventh minute saw TWU up 25-31, forcing the Bears to work from behind. TMU showed their grit in the final two minutes of the half, taking back the lead with three good 2-pointers and a single good shot from the free throw line from Franky to end the half (39-37).

The second half saw the Bulldogs gain momentum as they took back the lead, earning up to a ten point gap in the 13th minute (45-55). TMU responded with a ten-point run to put the game within slim margins after a good free throw from Bosko Norman (55-57) and ultimately took back the lead after a Franky shot in the paint in the ninth minute (65-63). The Bears speed was unmatched for the remainder of the game and the win was unanimously clinched by a strong 14-point run that resulted in a final score of 92-76.

BY THE NUMBERS

TMU bested the Bulldogs at the three-point arc and free throw line with 38.9% and 82.1%, compared to 25% and 60.9%.

Franky led the Bears individually with 32 points and 13 rebounds, along with two steals, a single block and going six for seven at the free throw line. Briscoe followed with 30 points, four assists, three rebounds and going 12 for 14 at the free throw line. Sophomore Marlon Allen had ten points and six rebounds, while Norman had nine points and three assists. Individually, Smith had seven points with three rebounds, followed by Bryant and sophomore Luke Davidson who had two points apiece.

UP NEXT

The Bears will return inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena for the next two game days, starting Tuesday, Jan. 26, where they will face AAC competitor Montreat College with a tipoff at 7:00 p.m., followed by an AAC match up with Union College Saturday, Jan. 30. Tipoff at 4:00 p.m.