Box Score The Lady Bruins trailed by 9 points with just over three minutes to go in the game, but the team came roaring back to steal a 65-62 road win over Allen University on Thursday night to capture their 5th straight victory and their 8th win in the last 10 games. "We were able to play great defense and rebound the ball well," Coach Mike LeViere said. "Really gritty performance by our team to come away with the win in a hostile and loud environment."
The Bruins move to 16-10 on the season as the team played their 2nd game of the week in Columbia, South Carolina after coming away with a 69-60 victory over Columbia International University on Tuesday night to capture their first conference win of the season. On this night, the Bruins knew they would be in for a tough test as they battled the Allen University Yellow Jackets. The two teams had met just two weeks ago with the Bruins capturing an 83-78 win over the Yellow Jackets in Greenville. The team was able to counter the Yellow Jackets defensive pressure and come away with the win. Allen University hoped to changed this outcome as they took the court in front of their hometown fans.
The Bruins rode the outside shooting of their perimeter players early on as the team built an 8-3 advantage out of the gate. Bridgette Gleed and Kendra Jeffcott had their hands full in the paint, but both players stepped up to score points and get rebounds for the Bruins throughout the game. The Yellow Jackets came back to cut into the Bruins lead, but good defensive pressure and good offensive execution allowed BJU to end the quarter up 16-12.
In the second quarter, the Bruins continued to ride the outside shooting of Hannah Tompkins and Kendra Jeffcott as the tandem were able to knock down open looks. The team also got an added boost from Freshman Bhrianna Jackson as she tallied 15 points on the night for the team. Still the Yellow Jackets remained in striking distance as the Bruins took a 32-26 lead into the half.
As the second half began, the Yellow Jackets came out and rode the energy of the crowd to cut back into the lead. Try as they might, the Bruins couldn't hold off AU as the lead continued to dwindle. Right before the quarter ended, the Yellow Jackets took their first lead of the game and looked in good position to end the Bruins winning streak as they held a 46-43 lead.
The Yellow Jackets continued to use their pressure defense to force turnovers and used their transition play for points on the opposite end. The Bruins countered by driving through the lane and forcing the Yellow Jackets to foul as two different players fouled out for Allen University with just over 4 minutes to go. After a Yellow Jackets basket, AU led BJU 62-53 with 3:22 to go. Bridgette Gleed then earned a trip to the line and made both of her free throws. The Bruins were able to get a stop defensively and Hannah Tompkins buried the three-point shot to cut the lead to 62-60. After another defensive stop, the Bruins pushed the ball in transition and found Sha'Ron Brunson from three-point range as she put the Bruins up 63-62 with just 30 seconds left in the game. After holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless again on the next possession, Bhrianna Jackson calmly made both of her free throw attempts to help the Bruins hang on for a 65-62 win.
"I am proud of our team and the way they were able to play good defense and grab rebounds when we needed them most," Coach LeViere said. "We were able to maintain our composure in a very physical game and pick up another tough win on the road."
Bhrianna Jackson led the Bruins with 15 points while Bridgette Gleed scored 8 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Hannah Tompkins finished the night with 11 points and Kendra Jeffcott recorded another double double on the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The team shot an impressive 54% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Next up, the Bruins will continue their road trip as they travel to Warren Wilson College on Saturday night.
