CLEVELAND, Ga. (February 3, 2024) On Saturday, the Truett McConnell Men's basketball team hosted Tennessee Wesleyan University for an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up where the Bears fell to the Bulldogs, 77-64. TMU falls to an overall record of 9-13, 7-11 AAC, while TWU rises to a record of 9-11, 9-10 AAC. 
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY 
In the first half, the Bulldogs are first to score, the CJ, Brown, quickly responding with a good layup. TWU put seven more points on the board, forcing TMU to work from behind early. A three-pointer by Raul Arias-Ortega followed by a layup from Jadon Yeh, bridged the gap to three points as the Bears worked together to take the lead. Two more layups by Brown followed by two more three-pointers by Yeh, gave TMU hope at changing the game. A last-minute effort by Cory Seitz to bridge the gap before the half, ultimately was not enough to take the lead as the Bears entered the half trailing by eight (33-41).
 
The second half saw Seitz first to the basket with a good layup for TMU. The Bulldogs fought back quickly, increasing the margin by 14 points as the Bears worked together from behind. A layup by Arias-Ortega, paired with a layup by EJ Smith gave TMU a chance as the Bears decreases the margin to four points. The remainder of the game saw the Bulldogs increase the gap to 16 points. Arias-Ortega attempted to bridge the gap with a final three-pointer, but it was ultimately not enough to make a change, falling to a final score of 64-77.
 
LEADERS
Smith led the way with 15 points and four rebounds, while going 6-10 in the field. Yeh followed with 13 points and three assists, while going 4-6 in field goals, 3-5 at the three-point arc, and 2-2 in free throws. Arias-Ortega was featured contributing 11 points and six rebounds, while KJ Riley totaled 10 points and six rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
TMU will be back in action on Thursday, February 8, as they take on Kentucky Christian University in an AAC match-up, inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena. Tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.