Box Score
The BJU Bruins were coming off an emotional win over Piedmont on Friday night. On Tuesday, they welcomed in the Appalachian Bible College Warriors to the Davis Field House. The Bruins came into the game having won two of their last four, and the team has seen great improvement over the second half of the season.
At the start of the game, the Bruins came out a bit slow but showed poise and control as they battled the Warrior defense. The team worked the ball into Josh Clater on the block, and Clater was able to knock down several key baskets. Zach Mercado continued to be the hero for the Bruins with great shooting on the perimeter. At the midway point of the first half, the Bruins had a comfortable 33-13 lead. "We have really stressed focusing on us this second half of the season," Coach Ring said. "As long as we are doing what we need to do it is going to help us." The Bruins shot 60% from the field in the first half, including shooting 67% from three point range. As the buzzer sounded for halftime, the Bruins were up 45-23.
"It's all about ball movement and spacing," Coach Ring said. "When we can do that and find guys who are seeing the ball well, it helps our offense."
In the second half, the Bruins came out a bit slow and the Warriors began to go on a small run. Zach Mercado then knocked down back to back three point shots to keep his shooting night perfect and stop the Warrior run. Mercado finished a perfect 6-6 on the night including 3-3 from the three point line.
With the game in hand, Coach Ring rested his starters and played some of the reserve players. Instead of the Warrior starters cutting into the Bruin lead, the Bruins' reserve players stretched the lead and picked up where the starters left off. "Each moment we get to be on the court we need to give it our best," Bruins' forward Daniel Knox said. "When you are a bench player you have the privilege of seeing the game and studying your opponent." The team knocked down shot after shot as the Bruins continued to role. "Our starters are better because of our reserve players," Coach Ring said. "They push our guys day-in and day-out to be better. It was great to see those guys get playing time tonight."
In the closing minutes of the game, Bruins' forward Ben Van Holstyn scored on a drive through the lane with a fake no-look pass. The crowd went crazy. "I was just thankful for the opportunity," Van Holstyn said. "When we are out there we have to give everything we have because you don't know when the next opportunity will come." As the final seconds clicked off, the Bruins showed their dominance in all phases of the game. The final buzzer handed the Bruins their second straight win with a 84-51 victory.
"Our guys have worked hard," Coach Ring said. "Each practice they come out and battle. If we can take that work ethic into the future we have started to build a very successful program regardless of what our record is. All around we are growing in our knowledge of the game and in being able to compete."
With the win, the Bruins move to 6-18 on the season. Since coming back from Christmas break, the Bruins are 5-4 with just five games remaining on the season. Zach Mercado led the way for the Bruins with 17 points. Josh Clater added 11 and Evan Brondyke chipped in 13. Twelve of the Bruins fourteen players scored on the night. The Bruins finished the night shooting 50% from the field while shooting 64% from the three point line. The Bruins outrebounded the Warriors 46-30.
The Bruins will travel to Piedmont International on Friday evening for a rematch of the battle of the Bruins.
