Truett McConnell Slips by Golden Tigers in Overtime

Cleveland, Georgia- The Brenau basketball team came up short in an 63-57 overtime loss to Truett McConnell (Ga.) University in Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Saturday.

In the first quarter, the host Bears jumped out to an early 18-11 lead as Truett McConnell shot a blistering 53% from the floor. The Bears' Retavia Floyd and Sierra Kendall combined for 14 of the 18 points in the period for the early advantage.

However, in the second period, the Golden Tigers opened with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 20-20 on a pair of Tyleia Williams free throws. The Bears closed the quarter with an 8-2 run to take a 32-24 lead into intermission.

After halftime, the Golden Tigers defense held Truett McConnell to only six points in the quarter, which shrank the advantage to only 38-34.

In the fourth quarter, Brenau finally found its offensive rhythm as freshman Hanna Cannon started the period with a short jumper, then senior Hanna Grogan added a three pointer to give Brenau a 39-38 lead. Brenau continued to shoot well as sophomore Katherine Fourie hit two consecutive three pointers to give her team a 48-44 advantage. At the 2:09 mark, Williams hit a short runner to give Brenau its largest lead at 50-44.

With forty seconds remaining, freshman Kait McCarter hit one of two free throws to make the score 51-45. After Floyd hit a deep three pointer to cut the lead to 51-48, Brenau turned the ball over on the next possession and Kendall hit one of two free throws to shrink the Brenau lead to 51-49. With :16 seconds remaining, sophomore Michalea Cope missed a pair of free throws and on the ensuing possession, Truett's Quan Holton hit a pair of free throws with :13 second left to tie the game. Brenau had two shots to win the game, but missed both to send the game into overtime.

The momentum carried through for Truett as the Bears outscore the Golden Tigers 12-6 in the overtime period to clinch the win.

Fourie led Brenau with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Grogan and Williams each added 12 points. McCarter added seven points and seven rebounds.

Floyd led Truett with 20 points.

Brenau (2-2 overall, 2-2 AAC) next takes on Bryan (Tenn.) College (3-0 overall, 3-0 AAC) on December 1st in Gainesville.