(CLEVELAND) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University men’s basketball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent, No. 1 Montreat College. The Bears took down the Cavaliers with a final score of 76-69, increasing their win streak to nine. TMU rose to 17-8, 13-7 AAC, while the Cavaliers fell to 15-6, 13-5 AAC.
 
PLAY BY PLAY
The entire game was a back and forth battle between both teams. In the first half, the Bears were first to score with a free throw from CJ Brown, followed by a jump shot from Enocka Franky. The Cavaliers went on a hot streak to leave TMU behind by nine points. Two free throws from KJ Riley, a tip-in from Kafunba Toure and a three pointer from EJ Smith cut the deficit to five. Back-to-back jump shots from Brent Kelly allowed the Bears to regain the lead. Two three pointers from Smith and a free throw from Riley evened out the score going into the half, 34-34.
 
In the second half, the Bears were first to strike with a layup from Franky, followed by a jump shot from Kelly, a layup from Raul Arias-Ortega and Cory Seitz. TMU secured a five-point lead with a layup from Kafunba Toure. It was a continuous battle with the Cavaliers, but the Bears earned an advantage with two free throws and a layup from Riley. Two free throws from Kelly and two more free throws from Riley created a nine-point deficit. A last-minute attempt from the Cavaliers was unsuccessful, leading the Bears to take down Montreat with a score of 76-69.
 
LEADERS
Kelly led the team offensively with 17 points, going 7-12 from within the paint and 3-5 at the free throw line. Riley followed with 13 points, going 9-11 at the free throw line, and contributed eight rebounds. Smith had 12 points on the day, going 3-4 at the free throw line, and had three rebounds as well. Arias-Ortega added 12 points, going 3-4 at the free throw line and 4-10 from within the paint. Franky contributed eight points, going 2-5 from within the paint, and had 11 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The Bears hit the road and travel to face AAC opponent, Point University, on Thursday, Feb. 10. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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