When it counted, the Truett-McConnell men's basketball team made just enough plays to finish off Southern Tech on Sunday in Cleveland -- and earn its first ever Southern States Tournament bid in the process.
It was fitting that, on senior night, the two seniors -- Brandon Joiner and Anthony Dorsey -- the Bears on their backs and willed them to a 82-78 win in their last career home game.
"I just wasn't ready for this year to end yet. It has been a tough year in some ways and I really wanted to finish this year on a positive note," Dorsey said.
The victory put Truett-McConnell into the top five in its division, clinching the historic conference tourney bid -- which will be played out next week in Montgomery, Ala.
Dorsey finished the game with 29 points and 11 rebounds while Joiner finished the game with 14 points, and 5 assists on the night. No points were bigger for the Bears than when Joiner stepped to the line with less than 5 seconds to play and made both free-throws to put the game out of reach for the Bears.
"I feel like this was a big win for the program," Joiner said. "We have had to fight through a lot this year and it felt good to end things here at home like this. I am glad we were able to get this win for coach Mawdesley as well.
Head coach Wade Mawdesley was proud of his senior's effort.
"I have said the whole year that our team goes as our seniors go," Mawdesley said. "We have struggled with that at times this season and I was proud to watch these two guys rise to the occasion and lead us to a great victory for our program."
The Bears also got double digit scoring from Andretti Loyd with 10 points and Aaron Fisher came off the bench and threw in 14 points in only 14 minutes of play.
Friday
November 8th, 2024
10:53AM
