KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (January 25, 2023) - The Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Johnson University, where the Bear's hot second half ultimately secured an 80-73 victory. TMU rises to a record of 9-12, 7-10 AAC, while the Royals fall to 4-17, 4-13 AAC.

PLAY BY PLAY
The Bears were first to score with a layup from Brent Kelly and CJ Brown to take an early lead. A shot behind the three-point arc from Micah McAllister and Kelly quickly gave TMU an eight-point lead. The Royals took shots of their own in an attempt to cut the deficit, where a three-point shot from Kelly continued to add to TMU's lead. The Royals were persistent and cut the deficit to one, when free throws from Enocka Franky and Cory Seitz maintained the Bear's lead. A dunk from Toure followed by a layup from Anderson Mwasele sparked TMU's momentum going into the half (39-29).

In the second half, the Bears continued their offensive hot streak with a fastbreak layup from Kelly and EJ Smith. Shots in the paint from Raul Arias-Ortega, Cory Seitz and RJ Bryant propelled the Bears forward. The Royals responded with shots of their own, but layups from Kelly and Brown continued to grow the margin.  A late run from the Royals brought the score to six, where free throws from Akil Covington and Kelly secured the Bears 80-73 victory.

LEADERS
Kelly led the way with 21 points, going 5-6 at the free-throw line and 2-5 behind the three-point arc. Arias-Ortega followed with 12 points, going 2-2 at the free-throw line and 4-10 in the paint. Seitz recorded 12 points, going 4-5 in the paint and 4-5 at the free-throw line. Smith tallied eight points, going 4-4 at the free-throw line and 2-7 in the paint. 

UP NEXT
The Bears remain on the road and head to Barbourville, Ky. on Saturday, January 28, for an AAC matchup against Union College. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.