GREENEVILLE, TN- The Bulldogs led by Matt Towry with a team-high 15 (7-10 from the floor) points, seven defensive rebounds and two blocks ended up losing to Tusculum 81-64. Matt Harper and E'Jay Ward chipped in with 14 and 12 markers, respectively.. Ward also contributed with four rebounds and a game-high six steals. Clarence Threat pulled down five defensive rebounds.
Neither team pulled away by more than seven points in a tightly contested first half that featured seven ties and seven lead changes. TWC opened the first half with a trio of three-pointers to take an early 9-3 lead in the inital two minutes. Harper scored the first 3-pointer with assistance from Booher, followed by Ward and the third by Jesse Booher. Tusculum rallied to tie the game at 10-10 before taking its first lead on a three-point play.
The two teams traded baskets for the next 10 minutes before the Pioneers went on an 8-0 run to take a 33-26 lead with less than a minute remaining. TWC closed out the half with a quick 5-1 spurt to cut the lead to 34-31 heading into the half.
Tusculum opened the second half with a 14-6 run and a 9-4 spurt to open a 16-point lead over the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are now 0-3 and will play at Covenant on Wednesday evening with tip-off scheduled for 7:30.