Box Score
The Davis Field House was packed to capacity as the fans awaited the long anticipated game between the Pensacola Christian Eagles and the BJU Bruins. The Eagles had been on an impressive run as of late as the team had won five of their last six games entering Friday night's match against the Bruins. The Bruins were coming off a 68-41 thrashing of Toccoa Falls and looked to improve on their 4-10 record against the Eagles.
From the opening tip, the Bruins applied great defensive pressure and forced the Eagles to turn the ball over. On the offensive end, Kendra Jeffcott came out on fire and scored the team’s first six points. The Bruins also received help in getting guard Kim Spiecker back into the lineup. Spiecker provided a boost off the bench with 7 points including back to back baskets in the first half to spark the Bruins 8-0 run. The team put tremendous pressure on the Eagles offense and capitalized on turnover opportunities to convert them to points. With minutes remaining in the first half, the Eagles went on a run and narrowed the deficit to 34-31 at the break.
"We did a great job of coming out right away with some pressure," Coach LeViere said. "We came out well, and although our shooting was a little rusty our rebounding margin was huge for us."
In the 2nd half, the Bruins came out on fire and quickly jumped out to a double-digit lead. Kendra Jeffcott continued to plow through the Eagles defense for easy layups. "I always look for an open team mate but when they leave it open for me like that I try to take it," Jeffcott said. "I guess I was just feeling it tonight." The Bruins eventually built up a 17-point lead with just minutes to play left in the game. With their backs against the wall, the Eagles began to catch fire and make basket after basket to cut into the Bruins lead.
"The difficulty with seeing our lead disappearing was that we were not making the mistakes," Coach LeViere said. "They were knocking down their shots and we weren't making ours."
Eventually the Eagles cut the lead to 2 points with just seconds remaining. On a key defensive possession, Kourtney Hoefler took a charge just outside the block to give the Bruins the ball back. Trisha Irving knocked down 3 of 4 clutch free throws in the final seconds to give the Bruins a 65-63 win.
"Defense is how we win games," Coach LeViere said. "We still have some areas of work but we did a good job finishing the game for the win."
The Bruins outrebounded the 44-28 throughout the game. Kendra Jeffcott led all scorers with 22 points and 17 rebounds while Kourtney Hoefler and Chalice Pack each chipped in 10 for the Bruins. Next up, the Bruins will travel to Warren Wilson College for a weekend road trip next Friday and Saturday.
