BLUEFIELD, Va. (November 11, 2023) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to compete in an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up, against Bluefield University, where the Bears battled hard against the Rams but ultimately fell by slim margins, with a final score of 75-73. TMU falls to a record of 2-2, 1-1 AAC, while the Rams rise to a record of 1-1, 1-1 AAC.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Bears took an early lead in the first half with a layup by KJ Riley followed by a three-pointer from Jadon Yeh. TMU continued to turn up the heat with two three-pointers by Riley and Raul Arias-Ortega to increase the margin by 13 points. Eager to decrease the deficit, the Rams took a chance to push a head, as both teams battled heard to retain the lead. A layup by Arias-Ortega and Riley attempted to keep the Bears ahead, but a last chance run by the Rams in the first half, put TMU behind 37-43.
In the second half, the Bears were eager to regain the advantage as a three-pointer by Riley helped decreased the gap. Back-to-back layups by Arias-Otrega and Cory Seitz gave the Bears a fighting chance as they trailed by one. TMU continued to give it their all as a three pointer by Yeh, followed by a layup and three-pointer by EJ Smith put the Bears in a marginal lead. Both teams went head-to-head, eager to take home the win, when last chance free-throws by the Rams ultimately proved to be the difference, leaving TMU behind by two with a final score of 73-75.
LEADERS
Riley led the way for the Bears with 20 points and four rebounds, while going 7-8 at the free throw line. Yeh followed closely behind with 16 points and going 4-6 at the three-point arch. Arias-Ortega tallied 13 points on the evening, going 2-3 in three-pointers, while Smith recorded 12 points and five rebounds.Â
UP NEXT
The Bears will be back in action on Tuesday, November 24, as they take on AAC opponent Milligan University, inside the Benjamin F. brady Arena. Tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
