KINGSPORT, Tenn. (February 26, 2025) – On Wednesday, the Truett McConnell University women's basketball team traveled to compete in the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference WinWon Women's Basketball Tournament, where the No. 9 seeded Lady Bears fell to the No. 8 seed Columbia College in a hard-fought match-up, 71-62. TMU concludes the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 12-17, 9-13 AAC.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first quarter, TMU was first on the board with a good jump shot by Destinee Lovejoy. The Koalas quickly took the lead scoring seven consecutive points, forcing the Lady Bears behind early. A layup and jumpshot by Alexis Brewster decreased the gap, eager to change the lead. Both teams continued to battle with CC recording a good three-point shot and jumpshot to increase the Koalas led by seven points, 18-11. The second quarter saw both teams continued to battle. A clutch three-pointer by Kayleigh Kelley, assisted by Mahalah Stewart, followed by two good free throws from Stewart allowed the Lady Bears to put pressure on the opposing team. TMU continued to give it their all, with two good layups by Lovejoy finding the net ultimately proving capable of decreasing the margin to 11 points as both teams entered the half (38-27).

The third quarter was packed with action as both teams continued to battle it out. Two layups by Brewster, followed by good jump shots by Kelley and Stewart, kept CC at bay as TMU worked to recover from the Koalas strong first half (54-39). In the final quarter the Lady Bears attacked hard on offense as layups by Brewster, a good three-point shot by Kelley and free throws by Ava Queen, closed the  deficit to six points. Final free throws by Kelley and a good three-pointer by Madison Aguilera, attempted to change game, but ultimately could not pull off the win, 71-62.

LEADERS
Brewster led the way for the Lady Bears recording 22 points and nine rebounds. Lovejoy followed recording a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Kelley had 11 points and Queen had 10 rebounds. Stewart was featured recording six assists on the evening, respectfully. 

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