GRAYSON, Ky. (January 13, 2024) – On Saturday the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent, Kentucky Christian University, where the Bears dug deep to secure the win, after trailing from behind until the final minutes of regulation. Final score 72-68. TMU rises to an overall record of 8-9, 6-7 AAC, while KCU falls to a record of 5-11, 3-9 AAC.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first half, TMU was first on the board with a good layup by EJ Smith. Eager to obtain an early lead, the Knights increased their score by seven, forcing the Bears to work early from behind. The Knights continued to showed no mercy, increasing the deficit by 16 points, when a good three pointer by KJ Riley followed by two layups by Smith, and two good free throws by Raul Arias-Ortega, decrease the deficit to nine, as both teams entered the half with a score of 26-35.
 
The second half saw KCU first to act, with Riley responding quickly with a good jump shot. The Knights once again continued to increase their lead, attempting to leave the bears behind, but TMU did not lose heart as a layup by Akil Covington followed by a three pointer by Jadon Yeh began to decrease the large gap. Another three pointer by Yeh, paired with two good free throws and a layup by Smith, work to decrease the Bears trail of the Knights to five points. Back-to-back layups by Seitz and a clutch three-pointer by Arias-Ortega, ultimately proved to be the game-changer, as two final free throws by Yeh sealed the deal on a Bears comeback win, with a final score of 72-68.
 
LEADERS
Riley led the way for the Bears with a double-double, recording 22 points and 14 rebounds. Smith followed with 13 points and three rebounds, while Yeh recorded 12 points and went 6-6 at the free throw line. Seitz was featured contributing eight points and five rebounds, while Covington had six points.
 
UP NEXT
TMU will be back in action on Thursday, January 18th, as they travel to face Tennessee Wesleyan University for an AAC match-up. Tip off set for 7:30 p.m.