CLEVELAND, Ga. (January 24, 2024) – On Wednesday, the Truett McConnell University men's basketball team hosted Bryan College for an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up, where the Bears put up a tough fight against the Lions, but ultimately fell to a final score of 82-73. TMU falls to an overall record of 9-11, 7-9 AAC, while BC rises to a record of 10-9, 8-8.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first half, the Lions were featured first on the board. EJ Smith soon responded with a layup of his own as both teams battled for the early lead. BC worked to put seven more points on the board, eager to create space between TMU as the Bears worked hard to remain even with the visiting team. The remainder of the half saw three more three pointers from the Bears, one from KJ Riley and two from Smith, as TMU attempted to decrease the Lions lead. The Bears found a change in momentum in the final minutes of the half as three consecutive layups, two by Smith and one by Cory Seitz, worked to decrease the gap to 15 points, 25-40.
 
The second half saw Seitz first to add to the score with a tip-in off an offensive rebound. The Lions continued to hold their lead, but TMU was not shaken as layups by Akil Covington, Seitz and Smith decreased the margin to 11. The Bears continued to rally together to change the result of the game as a clutch three pointer by Seitz, paired with layups by CJ Brown and Riley, decreased the scoring margin to five points. TMU entered range of turning over the game as a layup by Riley followed by a three-pointer by Smith created a slim gap between the two teams by one point. A final effort by the Bears in the last minutes of regulation attempted to seal the deal on a possible Bears win but was ultimately pushed out of reach as layups and free throws by the visiting team kept BC ahead, falling to a final score of 73-82.
 
LEADERS
Smith led the way for TMU, with 23 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three assist, while going 9-16 in the field and 2-2 at the free throw line. Riley followed with 18 points, nine rebounds, while going 3-3 in free throws. Seitz was featured recording 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while Covington contributed six points and four rebounds, respectfully.
 
UP NEXT 
The Bears will be back in action on the road, Wednesday, January 31, as they travel to Milligan University for an AAC match-up. Tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.