Men's Basketball overpowered by Truett-McConnell Bears

Laurinburg, N.C. - The St. Andrews Knights men's basketball team suffered their third straight conference loss at the hands of the Truett-McConnell Bears Tuesday night at Harris Court.

The visiting team went into half-time with the upper-hand, leading the matchup by 10 points (38-28). The Bears continued right where they left off coming out of half-time, extending their lead to a hefty 17 points after a Raul Arias-Ortega layup with 13:10 remaining. Strong performances from the Bears bench and even stronger play in the paint saw the visiting team stay out of reach for the home team.

Quwan Barnes, Xzavier McFadden, Jalen McAfee-Marion, and Jeremiah Dickerson all contributed to the Knights offense, but a strong Bears bench and consistent successful drives in the paint repeatedly stifled any opportunity by the Knights to make the score competitive.

Mateu Escamilla cut the lead down to 11 (83-72) with :24 left on the clock after Barnes pulled down one of his game high 14 rebounds and make a quick outlet pass. The home team finished their battle with dignity, fighting every step of the way while time remained. Barnes sent Micah Stinson to the line for two shots with his foul, where Stinson made one. Barnes headed to the free thrown line himself seconds later making both shots, bringing the score to 84-74.

Two more Knights' baskets were added before the clock sounded, but it was not enough to overcome the Bears' lead, dropping their third straight conference win 85-78.
The Knights were surpassed in points in the paint 52-40, and points off the bench 33-21.

Barnes scored a Knights game high 20 points with 8-15 shooting from the field, while going 4-6 on free throw attempts. He also scored two assists, and 14 rebounds, and three steals.

The Knights will travel to Durham, NC, on Friday, December 15, to face North Carolina Central.