Cleveland, GA- At the Benjamin F. Brady Arena, Johnson (14-7, 11-4) narrowly defeated Truett-McConnell (9-12, 6-8) with a final score of 74-68 in a closely contested basketball game. The contest saw Johnson University pulling ahead in the first half, 42-35, maintaining their lead with a 32-33 second-half performance.
Johnson's victory was powered by a balanced team effort. Kavon Blankenship led the offense with 19 points, demonstrating precision with 7 of 11 shooting, including two three-pointers. Mason Lockhart also made a significant impact, contributing 11 points and securing a double-double with 10 rebounds. Desmond Billingsley stood out defensively with 3 steals, aiding in the team's overall solid defensive efforts.
On the other side, Truett McConnell's Jadon Yeh shone brightly with an impressive 20-point performance, shooting 8 of 12 from the field and making 4 of 5 three-pointers. Myles McCrary was another key player for Truett McConnell, achieving a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite their strong rebounding, Truett McConnell struggled with shooting accuracy, hitting only 41.3% from the field and 31.6% from beyond the arc, compared to Johnson's 44.3% and 38.9%, respectively. Free throw shooting also played a role, with Johnson converting 68.4% of their attempts compared to Truett McConnell's 58.8%.
Both teams showcased disciplined play, as neither incurred any technical fouls throughout the matchup. However, ball handling issues plagued both squads, with Johnson and Truett McConnell committing 10 and 14 turnovers, respectively.
