KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 16, 2022) - On Wednesday, the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent, Johnson University. The Bears fell in a nail-biter, with the Royals prevailing in the final seconds to make the score 81-82. The Bears decline to 18-10, 14-9 AAC, while the Royals improved to 7-20, 5-18 AAC.

PLAY BY PLAY

In the first half, the Bears were quick to jump on the Royals with a shot from CJ Brown, which was followed by a jump shot from EJ Smith. A dunk from Enocka Franky gave TMU a quick six point advantage. The Bears continued to string points together with a Cory Seitz tip-in, Raul Arias-Ortega layup and a Seitz layup. Back to back layups from Kafunba Toure gave TMU a 10 point advantage. The Royals were slowly chipping away, but a Brent Kelly three pointer continued the momentum. A dunk and free throw from Toure increased the advantage to 14 points, while a three point shot from RJ Bryant, a layup from Franky and a Luke Crowden three pointer sent the Bears into the half ahead, 44-36.

In the second half, the Royals were first to score, eager to decrease the deficit. A Brown three pointer and layup kept the Royals at bay with a nine point deficit. The Royals went on a short streak to cut the deficit to six, but a Smith three point shot kept the Bears ahead. Both teams started to go back and forth, but a Smith three pointer and a Franky dunk kept the Bears ahead by eight. Multiple three point shots from the Royals put them within three of the Bears. Two final free throws from the Royals ultimately proved the results of the game and left the Bears behind, 81-82.

LEADERS

Toure led the way offensively with 13 points on the evening, going 6-8 from within the paint, and also contributing six rebounds. Seitz followed with 12 points, going 6-6 from within the paint. Franky added 10 points, going 5-9 from within the paint, while also tallying seven rebounds. Brown contributed nine points, going 4-8 from within the paint, with two rebounds. Smith tallied eight points, going 2-6 from behind the three point arc, while tallying three rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Bears will return home to the Benjamin F. Brady Arena to host AAC opponent, Kentucky Christian University, on Saturday, Feb. 19. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.