CLEVELAND, Ga. (January 31, 2023) - The Truett McConnell University women's basketball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Columbia International University inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena, where the Lady Bears fell in a nail-biter after forcing the game into overtime play (71-74). TMU falls to a record of 6-16, 5-14 AAC, while the Rams rise to 11-11, 10-8 AAC.

PLAY BY PLAY

Both teams were neck-and-neck from the start after a layup from Alysee Dobbs put TMU on the board. A layup from Kacie Williams, followed by a three-point shot from Asia Gant and jump shot from Dobbs pushed the Bears ahead. The Rams responded with shots of their own, but layups from Chloe Williams and Lila Luettich kept both teams evenly matched. A free throw from Quan Holton gave the Bears the lead once again as the game entered the second quarter (19-18). TMU gained speed with a layup from Jordyn Wilder and jump shot from Williams. The Rams worked quickly to recapture the lead, while a layup from Williams and a three-point shot from Tia Shelton cut the margin to six before the half (32-38).

In the third quarter, the Bears saw a shot behind the three-point arc from Gant and free throws from Camilla Callihan to cut at the Rams lead. Free throws from Dobbs and a layup from Holton lessened the gap, but the Rams were persistent with multiple shots of their own. Final shots in the paint from Williams and Holton left the Lady Bears trailing by 10 into the final quarter (45-54). In the fourth quarter, TMU was first to score with a three-pointer from Dobbs and layup from Shelton. Clutch free throws and layup from Callihan tied the game, followed by a layup from Williams to give the Lady Bears the lead. In the final seconds, the Rams took the lead, but a pivotal layup from Callihan gave hope and sent TMU into overtime (63-63).

In overtime, the Lady Bears were hot out of the gates with a layup from Callihan and shot in the paint from Williams. Another shot from Callihan gave TMU a four-point advantage, but the Rams quickly secured the lead with shots of their own. A jump shot from Dobbs tied the game, but a late shot from the Rams left TMU to fall short to a score of 74-71.

LEADERS

Most notable, Dobbs recorded a double-double with 20 points, going 2-3 behind the three-point arc and 2-2 at the free-throw line with 13 rebounds. Callihan followed with 12 points, going 4-4 at the free-throw line with six rebounds. Williams tallied 10 points, going 5-10 in the paint, while Gant recorded six points, going 2-2 behind the three-point arc.

UP NEXT


The Lady Bears hit the road to face AAC competitor Columbia College on Saturday, February 4 in Columbia, S.C. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.