(
CLEVELAND) – The Truett McConnell University men’s basketball team battled until the final seconds to secure an overtime victory over Columbia International University on Saturday, inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena. The Bears clinched the win with a final score of 80-77, and rose to a season record 18-9, 14-8 AAC.
PLAY BY PLAY
A jump shot from Raul Arias-Ortega and layup from Enocka Franky started off the first half for the Bears, followed by two good free throws by CJ Brown. Both teams were neck and neck for the reminder of the half, until CIU pulled away with the lead and a KJ Riley jump shot put the lead in range (32-30). Two layups from Arias-Ortega gave the Bears the lead, followed by a jump shot from Franky and Riley. TMU was ahead for the remainder of the half, until a last second layup from the Rams forced the game into overtime (69-69). The Bears banded together to clinch the win in overtime, starting and ending with shots from Brent Kelly and resulting in a final score of 80-77.
LEADERS
Most notable, Franky recorded a double-double on the evening with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Kelly had 16 points and seven rebounds, along with going 6-9 at the free throw line. Arias-Ortega had 11 points, EJ Smith had nine points, Brown had eight points and Kafunba Toure had six rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Bears will travel to face Johnson University on Wednesday, Feb. 16, with a start time of 7:30 p.m.
