ATHENS, Tenn. (Nov. 17, 2022) - The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to Appalachian Athletic Conference foe, Tennessee Wesleyan University, where the Bears suffered their first AAC loss of the season in the final seconds with a score of 74-76. TMU now sits at a record of 4-2, 4-1 AAC, while the Bulldogs rise to 5-0, 4-0 AAC.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Bears had a slow start to the evening, allowing the Bulldogs to take an early lead. A free throw from Raul Arias-Ortega was the first point on the board for TMU, followed by a shot in the paint from Brent Kelly. Kafunba Toure put up two free throws, but the Bulldogs continued to add to their lead. A jump shot from Kelly and a three-pointer from EJ Smith saw the Bears closing the margin, while layups from Arias-Ortega, Akil Covington, and CJ Brown kept TMU trailing by only seven. In the final minutes of the first half, a free throw from Arias-Ortega got the momentum rolling, where a shot in the paint from Cory Seitz and a three-pointer from Smith sent the Bears into the half hot on the Bulldogs heels (34-38).
In the second half, TMU worked quick with a jump shot from Kelly and two consecutive shots from Enocka Franky to tie the game. The Bears saw their first lead of the day with a shot behind the three-point arc from Smith, but the Bulldogs retaliated with three consecutive three-pointers. TMU was aggressive, seeing three-point shots from Kelly and Smith, where a layup from Franky brought TMU within one. Both teams were back-and-forth, when a three-pointer from Arias-Ortega put the Bears within two. TMU added pressure of their own with a shot in the paint from Kelly to bring the score within one, but a layup from the Bulldogs ultimar left TMU behind with a final score of 74-76.
LEADERSÂ
Smith led the way with 18 points, going 4-8 from behind the three-point arc and tallying three rebounds. Kelly followed with 16 points of his own, going 7-11 within the paint with seven rebounds. Arias-Ortega recorded 14 points, going 5-7 at the free throw line, while Franky had 10 points of his own, going 2-4 at the free throw line with five rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena Saturday, November 19, for an AAC show down against Bluefield University. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
