Box Score
The Bruins were on the road for their fifth straight away game as they set to square off against Columbia International University. The Rams of CIU are in their first year of intercollegiate basketball competition and the school has already called the Bruins the cross-state rival. The Bruins were riding a four-game losing streak with their most recent losses coming in back to back games in the Roger Taylor Invitational tournament in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The Rams started off the season well, but have struggled recently with a two-game losing streak entering that game with BJU. Both teams would look to snap their losing streaks as they took the floor in Columbia.
From the opening tip, the fans knew they would be in for a close battle as the teams traded baskets in the opening minutes. The Rams have been deadly thus far this season from three-point land as the team has been averaging around 35 three-point attempts per game. First year Coach Kyle Mendenhall has done an excellent job starting the Rams program as the team continued to put up points while shooting 44% from three-point range. The Bruins countered with smart play in working their offensive sets and getting to the free throw line. The team played great defense in forcing hard shots on the Rams offense as the two teams stayed close. At the half, the Bruins had a narrow 38-35 lead.
"That team can really shoot the basketball," Coach Ring said of the Rams' offense. "I was proud of my guys as they had a tough team to face and they did well in forcing tough shots and sticking getting good looks on offense."
In the second half, the Bruins and Rams continued to keep it close. Both teams went on short runs to gain the lead, but each time one would make a run the other would respond to tie the game. In the late stretches of the games, Ray Holden got a tough three point play to put the Bruins up 74-72 with just seconds remaining. A clutch bucket by CIU tied the game at 74-74 and sent this first-ever meeting between the two programs into overtime.
The first overtime period was much of the same for the Bruins as Isaiah Reeves and Ben Johnson continued to knock down big shots for the Rams. The Bruins responded with the shooting of Kyle Turner and Larry Taylor to stay close. Both teams went back and forth, trading baskets and dreams of the ensuing victory. When the dust settled the two teams were still dead-locked at 81-81 forcing a second overtime.
In the second overtime period, the Bruins capitalized with a big three point shot from Kyle Turner and great free-throw shooting down the stretch. Darnel Antoine shutdown their scoring by forcing several tough shots, and after an Evan Brondyke layup, the Bruins had extended their lead to 93-86. The final buzzer snapped the Bruins four-game losing streak as they defeated the Rams 93-86.
"I am very proud of our effort tonight," Coach Ring said. "Our guys worked so hard and persevered despite many tough points in the game. This was a great overall team win tonight against a very good program."
Larry Taylor led the way for the Bruins with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, while Kyle Turner added 21 points and 14 rebounds. Darnel Antoine chipped in 14 points and was a key factor on the defensive end for the Bruins. With the win, the Bruins move to 3-4 on the season. Next up, the team will have a few days to prepare before welcoming in Thomas University to Greenville on Saturday afternoon.
