Box Score
Despite a late 2nd half comeback, the Bruins came up just short in an 86-81 home loss to Barber-Scotia College on Thursday night. "I thought we showed some great character tonight in being down as much as we were and chipping away at the lead until we got it. Then we made some uncharacteristically bad errors and it was frustrating to watch our lead slip away but that is part of learning how to play these kind of games."

The Bruins entered the game on a five-game losing streak and were 3-7 on the season. The team was excited to get Dustin Killough back into the lineup as the Bruins guard had missed the last 6 games of the season with an ankle injury. Despite the good news of Killough, the Bruins were dealt a bad news blow before the start of the game as Marshall Riddle was battling the flu. Riddle would still play in the game for the Bruins but was limited in minutes.

 

Barber-Scotia entered Thursday's game with a 1-7 record. Both teams faced tough NCAA DI opponents in previous weeks and both were in search of a much-needed win as they took the court at the Davis Field House.

In the opening minutes, the two teams traded baskets back and forth with neither able to establish control in a 9-9 game. From there, the slick shooting Sabers rallied behind their 66% shooting from behind the arc to jump out to a lead. After a jumper by Jonathan Allison, the Sabers were up double digits 25-11.

A timeout allowed the Bruins to make some adjustments and begin to work their way back into the game. The team committed 13 costly turnovers in the first half and were not able to capitalize on their opportunities as they went into halftime trailing 45-32.

"We knew we needed to take care of the ball and we didn't tonight and that hurt us tonight," Coach Ring said. "We have to make better decisions in the spur of the moment."

In the second halftime, the Sabers came out and built on their lead with a 5-0 run and build to a 17-point lead. From there, the Bruins rode the defensive play of John Reece and the lights out shooting of Kyle Turner to come roaring back into the game. Turner knocked down back to back three's in the Bruins 8-0 run to climb back to 55-47. From there, the Bruins continued to battle and eventually took the lead after a basket by John Reece.

The Bruins lead would eventually grow to 64-58, but the Sabers looked to play the role of spoiler and chipped back into the game by creating second chance opportunities and getting 35 free-throw attempts from the line. Down the stretch, the Bruins couldn't knock down some key shots as the Sabers stole the victory 86-81.

"We have to learn to finish," Coach Ring said. "I think we got comfortable and somewhat lazy mentally. We need to learn how to play with success and when we do things well keep doing it. You can't win games when you miss free throws like we did and turn the ball over like we did. If we can learn from this than it is good and we'll move forward."

Kyle Turner was one of four Bruins in double-figures on the night with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Dustin Killough had 15 points and Ray Holden had 12 points for the team. Despite battling the flu, Marshall Riddle still scored 11 points for the team on the night. The Bruins struggled with 23 turnovers on the night as the team dropped their sixth straight loss landing them at 3-8 on the season.

Next up, the Bruins will have a tough road contest as they travel to Warren Wilson College on Monday night.