(CLEVELAND) – On Tuesday, the Truett McConnell University men’s basketball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference foe, Reinhardt University, inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena. The Bears played with heart, but fell 72-83. TMU’s record fell to 8-8, 5-7 AAC, while the Eagles rose to 11-8, 8-5 AAC.
PLAY BY PLAY
In the first half, both teams played strong, forcing each other to work under pressure. The Bears were the first to score with a shot in the paint from Brent Kelly. The Eagles retaliated quickly, followed by EJ Smith who made back-to-back three pointers. TMU broke away to create a seven-point deficit with two layups from Akil Covington and KJ Riley. A foul on Enocka Franky led to a successful free throw and layup. The Eagles regained the lead and the Bears were down 30-34 going into the second half.
In the second half, the Bears were able to tie up the score early. A jump shot from Franky and a three pointer from Smith put TMU on top. A three pointer from Raul Arias-Ortega and a jump shot from Franky continued to give the Bears momentum. The Eagles had a seven-point run to leave the Bears behind. A layup from Kelly and a three pointer from Riley decreased the gap. Despite strong efforts, the Bears fell 72-83.
LEADERS
Most notable, Franky had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, going 6-9 from within the paint. Smith led the way 16 points on the evening, with 12 points from behind the three-point arc. Riley had 11 points and seven rebounds, going 3-4 from the free throw line. Arias-Ortega followed with 10 points, with eight of his points being from within the paint. Kafunba Toure had six points and four rebounds, going 3-4 from within the paint.
UP NEXT
The Bears travel on Tuesday, January 13, to face AAC opponent, Tennessee Wesleyan, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
