KINGSPORT, Tenn. (February 28, 2024) - The No. 8 Truett McConnell University women's basketball team showed their grit in the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, where TMU  bested No. 9 Columbia College once again to advance to day two with a score of 55-44. 

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Both teams fought hard from the very start, with the Lady Bears hitting the board first after a Kacie Williams jump shot and follows by a Koalas layup. Columbia pulled ahead 10-5 half way through the quarter, but back-to-back Lady Bears action by Williams and Mahalah Stewart put the lead in range (9-10). A final three-point shot by Stewart gave TMU the spark they needed to enter quarter two up 14-13. Williams set the stage once again for the Lady Bears with a jump shot, followed by layups from Alexis Brewster, Destinee Lovejoy and Sydnie Smith (22-13). Individual three-pointers by Smith and Lovejoy helped give TMU a healthy advantage as the game entered halftime (32-18). 

The third quarter saw the Lady Bears maintain the lead, featuring clutch shots from the free throw line by Smith, Stewart and Alysee Dobbs. Stewart stayed sharp at the three-point arc, while Asia Queen added to the lead with a shot inside the paint (42-25). TMU gained momentum to seal the deal in the fourth quarter, beginning with a three-pointer from Stewart and ending with a layup by Dobbs to make the final score 55-44. 

LEADERS

Stewart led the way with 14 points, along with going 4-8 at the three-point arc. Williams recorded 11 points and nine rebounds, followed by Smith who had eight points and eight assists. Brewster tallied eight points, Dobbs tallied six points and Lovejoy tallied five points. 

UP NEXT 

TMU faces No. 1 Bryan College on Thursday, Feb. 29 in Kingsport, Tennessee, with tip-off set for 12:00 p.m.