CLEVELAND, Ga. (Nov. 8, 2022) - The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference member Johnson University, where the Bears won by double digits to secure their third straight Appalachian Athletic Conference win (93-72). TMU rises to a record of 3-1, 3-0 AAC, while the Royals fall to 0-4, 0-3 AAC. This is the first team in program history that the Bears have an AAC three-game win streak at the start of the season. 

PLAY BY PLAY 
Both teams were evenly matched in the beginning, but the Royals were capable of securing the lead with bakc to back shots. A shot in the paint from Brent Kelly, followed by a layup from Enocka Franky and CJ Brown put TMU within small margins of stealing the lead. The Royals quickly worked back until a shot from behind the three-point arc and a layup from Franky let TMU break away. Another three-pointer from Smith and free throws from RJ Bryant propelled the Bears forward, seeing back-to-back layups from Cory Seitz. The Royals slowly chipped away at the score with shots of their own, but two consecutive three-pointers from Raul Arias-Ortega and two layups from Smith sent TMU into the half with a 40-37 lead over the Royals. 

In the second half, Smith and Arias-Ortega worked hand-in-hand to collect seven points and propel the Bears forward early. A three-pointer from Akil Covington, followed by another three-pointer from Arias-Ortega and two consecutive free throws from Smith kept the Royals trailing. A shot from behind the three-point arc from Kelly, along with free throws from Bryant and Brown added to the Bear's lead. Layups from Kafunba Toure, four consecutive free throws from Smith, and a jump shot from Covington secured a 93-72 victory over the Royals. 

LEADERS
Smith led the way with 27 points on the evening, going 9-14 in the paint and was perfect at the free throw line. Arias-Ortega followed with 17 points, going 3-6 from behind the three-point arc and tallied five rebounds. Franky recorded 9 points, going 4-6 in the paint and led the way with nine rebounds. 

UP NEXT
The Bears hit the road to Waleska, Ga. to face AAC rival Reinhardt University on Tuesday, November 15. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.