(CLEVELAND) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University men’s basketball team hosted (RV) Life University for a non-conference match-up, where the Bears suffered a tough loss to a final score of 79-77. TMU falls to an overall record of 1-1, while LU rises to a record of 3-0.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The first half began with TMU quick to take charge. A good three-pointer by EJ Smith ultimately put the Bears in an early lead but was short lived as Life worked to even the play (8-8). TMU found their rhythm when two good three pointers by Jadon Yeh and Cory Seitz, paired with a layup and two free-throws by Smith gave the Bears a 14-point lead. A quick run by the visitors attempted to decrease the margin, but was no match for the home team as three good free throws by KJ Riley put the Bears in a dominating position at halftime (40-30).
In the second half, the Eagles were eager to decrease the lead, but TMU fought back with layups by CJ Brown and Riley, followed by a Smith three-pointer. The Bears continued to hold a seven-point advantage as a layup from Cainan Wright kept TMU in the game. TMU worked hard on defense, but a three-pointer by the visiting team decreased the deficit by one. The remainder of the half saw both teams fight to secure the lead. A last chance effort by Akil Covington in the final seconds of the game saw TMU two points away from bridging the gap, ultimately not enough as the Bears fell to a hard-fought loss with a final score of 77-79.
LEADERS
Riley showed out with 25 points, four rebounds and going 9-10 at the free throw line. Smith followed closely behind with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Brown recorded 13 points and three rebounds and Seitz tallied nine points.
UP NEXT
The Bears will be back in action on Wednesday, November 8, as they take on Reinhardt University for their conference opener, inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena. Tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
