(CLEVELAND) – The Truett McConnell University men’s basketball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Milligan University, where the Bears second half rally proved not enough as the fell by slim margins to the Buffs (69-75).TMU falls to a record of 4-4, 4-3 AAC, while the Buffaloes fall to 3-4, 3-3 AAC.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bears started strong with two free throws from CJ Brown, followed by back-to-back layups. The Buffs were resilient on offense as they stole the lead, but jump shots from RJ Bryant and Akil Covington closed the gap. A shot behind the three-point arc from Cooper Rubio along with a layup from Brown brought TMU within five, while a rally from the Buffs grew their advantage. A layup from Anderson Mwasele, followed by a jump shot from Covington and a three-pointer from Rubio sent TMU into the half trailing (28-37).
In the second half, the Buffaloes were first on the board, but two layups from Brown and Enocka Franky kept the Bears in the game. The Buffs continued to add to their lead and create a large deficit, but a jump shot from Micah McAllister and a fastbreak layup from Kafunba Toure chipped away at the Buffs momentum. Multiple fouls from the Buffaloes led to free throws from Cory Seitz and Toure, bringing TMU within seven. A shot in the paint from Toure sparked a Bears rally, where a three pointer from Bryant and EJ Smith brought TMU within two points. In the final seconds, Franky hit two free throws but a late run from the Buffs ultimately left the Bears behind (69-75).
LEADERS
Toure led the way with 12 points, going 6-7 at the free point line with seven rebounds. Rubio followed with 11 points, going 3-5 from behind the three-point arc. Brown tallied 10 points, going 4-5 in the paint with three rebounds. Smith recorded nine points, going 2-4 behind the three-point arc and 1-1 at the free throw line.
UP NEXT
The Bears remain inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Saturday, December 3 with a match-up against AAC opponent, Bryan College. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
