WALESKA, Ga. (November 23, 2021) - The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference foe, Reinhardt University on Tuesday, where the Bears fell short to the Eagles, 60-71. TMU fell to a record of 4-3, 2-3 AAC, while Reinhardt rose to a record of 3-5, 3-3 AAC.

PLAY BY PLAY 

In the first half, the Bears and the Eagles were evenly matched. The Eagles were able to strike first, but TMU retaliated with an EJ Smith three pointer. A foul on CJ Brown resulted in a successful free throw, which gave the Bears the lead. Enocka Franky had two shots in the paint, along with TMU extending  their lead with a Smith layup and shot from behind the three point arc. Multiple shots in the paint from Akil Covington, Cory Seitz and Raul Arias-Ortega helped the Bears remain up, but the Eagles did not back down, continuing to take shots of their own to lessen the gap. A foul on Brent Kelly resulted in two successful free throws to give TMU a 33-30 lead going into the halftime.

In the second half, the Eagles gained momentum, while the Bears continued to put up a fight. Reinhardt was persistent, but a jumper in the paint from Kelly gave TMU hope, followed by a Covington three pointer and a layup from Brown. Shots in the paint from Kelly, Seitz and Covington proved not enough as the Eagles collected a 60-71 victory.

LEADERS

Smith led the way offensively with 16 points, going 4-9 from behind the three point arc. Franky followed with nine points and four rebounds. Kelly had seven points on the evening, four steals and three rebounds. Covington followed with six points, going 3-4 from behind the free throw line. Brown and Arias-Ortega both had five points apiece. Brown had two rebounds and went 3-4 from behind the free throw line. Arias-Ortega had three rebounds and two shots from within the paint.

UP NEXT

The Bears will return inside the  Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 1, to face AAC opponent Bryan College. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.