Cleveland, GA- In an exhilarating matchup at the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on February 1, 2025, Johnson secured a decisive win against Truett McConnell with a final score of 72-54. This victory boosts Johnson's season record to an impressive 18-4 overall and 13-3 in conference play, while Truett McConnell falls to 10-12 overall and 7-9 in the conference.
The game started as a tight contest, with Johnson narrowly leading 16-15 at the end of the first quarter. However, they quickly found their rhythm, outscoring Truett McConnell 20-11 in the second quarter to establish a substantial lead heading into halftime. Johnson continued their dominance in the third quarter, further extending their advantage with a 22-9 run. Although Truett McConnell mounted a comeback attempt in the final quarter, outscoring Johnson 19-14, it wasn't enough to bridge the gap.
Leading Johnson's charge was Bekah Gardner, who came off the bench to deliver an impressive performance with 16 points, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. Hannah Jones contributed significantly as well, recording 11 points and securing 8 rebounds. Jordan Heifner added 12 points, showcasing her scoring ability with a balanced inside-outside game.
Johnson's collective effort was evident as they dominated the boards, out-rebounding Truett McConnell 47-31. This advantage was crucial in creating second-chance opportunities and limiting their opponent's scoring chances. Their defensive tenacity was also on display, forcing Truett McConnell into 21 turnovers, resulting in numerous fast-break opportunities.
Truett McConnell struggled to find consistent scoring, with Alexis Brewster leading their efforts with 11 points. Mahalah Stewart added 10 points, while Brinkley Kate Reed and Destinee Lovejoy provided some spark with 8 and 7 points, respectively.
Despite their attempts to claw back into the game, Truett McConnell was hampered by their shooting woes, only converting 33.3% of their free throws compared to Johnson's stellar 85.7% from the foul line. The home team also failed to capitalize on their three-point shooting, hitting only 31% compared to Johnson's 25%.
Johnson will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures as they aim to solidify their position at the top of the conference standings.
