MONTREAT, N.C. (December 7, 2022) - The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference foe, Montreat College, where the Bear's early lead was no match for the Cavalier's second-half offense (62-67). TMU falls to a record of 4-6, 4-5 AAC, while the Cavaliers rise to 6-4, 5-3 AAC.

PLAY BY PLAY
The Bears were aggressive from the start with a layup from CJ Brown, followed by a shot in the paint and a three-pointer from Enocka Franky to take an early lead. A shot behind the three-point arc from Brent Kelly, along with layups from Raul Arias-Ortega and Cory Seitz created a large deficit. A jump shot and free throw combo from Cooper Rubio, an EJ Smith three-pointer, and two consecutive free throws from CJ Brown gave TMU a 14-point lead. Back-to-back layups from Seitz and a fastbreak layup from Micah McAllister sent TMU into the half leading, 32-24.

In the second half, a fastbreak layup from Smith and a free throw from Franky sparked the Bear's momentum. The Cavaliers did not settle, shooting multiple three-pointers to capture the lead. A shot behind the three-point arc from Arias-Ortega and two successful free throws from Akil Covington gave TMU the lead. With both teams being neck-and-neck, clutch free throws from Kafunba Toure kept the Bears ahead. A three-pointer from Kelly, a free throw from Franky, and a pair of free throws from Brown forced the Cavaliers to respond. A clutch three-pointer for the Cavaliers gave them the led and created a margin. A clutch three-pointer from Arias-Ortega and a fastbreak layup from Kelly sparked hope but was not enough as the Bears fell, 62-67.

LEADERS
Arias-Ortega led the way with 13 points, going 2-4 behind the three-point arc and 3-4 at the free-throw line. Kelly followed with 12 points, going 2-4 behind the three-point arc and 2-2 at the free-throw line. Franky recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, going 4-8 within the paint. Brown tallied six points, going 4-6 at the free-throw line with five rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Bears return to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Saturday, December 10, to face AAC rival, Reinhardt University. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.