CLEVELAND — The Truett-McConnell men's basketball team upset the 14th ranked and NAIA Division II national champions Union College Saturday night in The Bear Cave. This accomplishment marks the first time TMU has defeated Union College, and also was the highest ranked team the men have defeated in school history. The Bears are now 9-2 on the season and 4-2 (T-2nd) in conference play after securing 4 straight wins.
Hot starts from Christian Davis and Filipe Gonçalves helped the Bears cruise out to a 17-8 lead early in the 1st half. Union College fought back with a run of their own to jump out to a 25-20 lead. Both teams fought point for point for the remainder of the half, until the Bears were able to finish strong, making the score 40-36 going into the locker room.
The Bears once again came out strong from the locker room, jumping out to a 50-36 lead thanks to solid all-around team play. Union continued to fight, making the score 69-63 in favor of the Bears with 4:41 remaining in the game. Myles Monroe, Calvin White, and Mario Westbrooks all went 2-2 from the Free Throw line down the stretch to help secure the upset victory, 83-65. The Bears also shot an impressive 54% from behind the arc in the 2nd half.
The Bears outstanding defense, including 32 turnovers, helped ignite their offense throughout the game. Christian Davis led the way with 22 points, including 5 three-pointers. David Campbell Jr. also contributed greatly, with 20 points, including 4 three-pointers. Calvin White had a career-high 17 points while Eddie Hurst had a career high of 7 steals. The TMU men's team currently leads the nation in steals (13.2 per game).
The Bears will be back in action this Wednesday night, Jack P. Elementary School Night, in The Bear Cave against Point University, as they look to win their 5th straight conference game. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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