MONTREAT, N.C. (Feb. 20, 2021) – The No. 11-seeded Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to No. 6-seeded Montreat College on Saturday for an Appalachian Athletic Conference play-in game. The Bears fell 88-79 to the Cavaliers, which ultimately put an end to their season (9-19, 6-15 AAC). Last time they met, in the regular season, the Cavs also came out on top (72-59).
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Both teams were neck and neck the first five minutes of the game but a Montreat 3-pointer ultimately put the Cavs ahead for good. Although another Montreat 3-pointer gave the Cavs their biggest lead of the half (28-45), an EJ Smith 3-pointer fueled a closing 5-0 scoring run to cut the deficit to 12 at halftime (33-45).
 
Two pairs of free throws from Enocka Franky and Smith put the Bears back within as little as four (52-56) with 12:36 to go in regulation, but the Cavs did not let up as they continued with the lead the rest of the way getting out front by as much as 15. Despite outscoring the final 20 minutes of the game by three (46-43), it proved not enough as Montreat put an end to TMU's season to clinch their trip to the AAC tournament in Kingsport.
 
Overall, TMU outscored in the paint (36-30), while the Cavs outshot from the field (49.2%) and 3-point line (42.9%).
 
LEADERS
Franky led the way with a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman Ty Briscoe scored 14, including going 2-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc. Smith had 13 points and Marlon Allen added 10 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists. Brent Kelly also had 10 points and two steals, while leading with four assists. Senior Xavier Latore added seven points.
 
Franky finished the year ranked sixth in the NAIA for total rebounds (239) and 18th in offensive rebounds per game (3.3). Allen follows closely ranking seventh in total rebounds with 231. Franky also ranks seventh in total double-doubles (12).