GRAYSON, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2021) – A tied game at the half showed promising results for the Truett McConnell University men's basketball as they competed against Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Kentucky Christian University Tuesday, but ultimately TMU fell to a final score of 66-53 for their first game of 2021. The Knights rose to a record of 3-7, 3-5 AAC, while the Bears declined to 4-7, 1-4 AAC.

PLAY BY PLAY

TMU made their way to the scoreboard first off a 2-pointer from Ange Badji, but the Knights were quick to follow with points of their own to take the lead. In the 11th minute, the Bears made the score even from a Bosko Norman 2-pointer (13-13), followed by an EJ Smith 3-pointer, which confiscated the lead (16-13). TMU held the lead until the final minute of the half when KCU bridged the gap on a 8-0 scoring run to tie up 28-28.

Both teams came out strong in the second half, the Knights made the first move to take the lead but the Bears responded with a successful shot from the 3-point arc from Smith to keep a tied score (34-34). The Knights continued to put pressure on the Bears defense by capturing the lead but once again, a Smith 3-pointer balanced the score (43-43). After a few strong runs, however, KCU was able to secure the lead with seven minutes to go for the remainder of the game resulting in the Bears falling to a final score of 53-66.

BY THE NUMBERS

Sophomore Marlon Allen led the Bears with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, along with a a steal and assist. Smith followed with 16 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Norman tallied nine points and two steals, while Badji had six points with four rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Bears travel to Bryan College Thursday, Jan. 7, to compete in their first match-up of the season with the Lions. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. TMU returns home on Saturday, Jan. 9, to face the Lions once again at 4:00 p.m.