Box Score
The Bruins basketball team turned in another strong performance as the team won their 7th straight game with a 102-70 victory over Johnson and Wales University on Tuesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina. Captain Marshall Riddle continued his scoring onslaught as the junior guard finished with 28 points as the Bruins move to 10-15 on the season.
"This team is resilient and finds ways to respond," Bruins Head Coach Neal Ring said. "We're grateful for the win and I was proud of our guys composure and determination to not let them back into the game in the second half."
The Bruins came into the game after three straight wins at home including defeating the Wildcats 88-73 in Greenville last week. But as the Bruins took the court on Tuesday night, they hoped their winning formula would continue on the road.
Dustin Killough knocked down back to back three point shots as the Bruins stormed out to an early lead. The Wildcats then began to settle in as they clawed their way back into the game. But the Bruins continued to be dominant offensively as Marshall Riddle knocked down a three to keep the Bruins on top. The team also got dominate play defensively as they forced the Wildcats into tough shots.
As the half continued, the Bruins remained red-hot from the outside, while big man Quez Fisher dominated the paint for the Bruins both in scoring and rebounding. With just minutes to play, the Bruins had a double-digit lead but the Wildcats used a 12-2 run to close the half down to BJU 44-41.
"We gave up that run at the end of the half that really challenged us at halftime," Coach Ring said.
The forecast for the second half was simple: a torrential rain storm of three-pointers from Marshall Riddle and the Bruins. The junior guard knocked down three straight three pointers early on to put the Bruins back up by double-digits. Even after the Wildcats called a timeout, they had no answer to slow the Bruins as the team continued to to pour it on. Quez Fisher quieted the hometown crowd as he slammed a dunk to put the Bruins up 71-51 at the midway point of the half.
Several Bruins stepped up for the team in the game as Corey Turner had a strong performance with 14 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. As the game began to come to a close, the Bruins continued to control the game on both sides of the ball as they increased their lead. The final buzzer handed the Bruins their 7th straight win with a dominate 102-70 win.
"That second half was powerful," Coach Ring said. "I basically tried to stay out of the way and let them ride the momentum they created. I was proud of our guys and the way they came together for the win tonight."
Marshall Riddle shot an incredible 56% from the floor including shooting 8-15 from three-point range for 28 points. Quez Fisher was also an unstoppable force for the Bruins as the sophomore was a perfect 8-8 from the field for 16 points and 6 rebounds. The Bruins out-rebounded the Wildcats 43-28. Five players scored in double figures for the Bruins as the team improves to 10-15 on the season.
Next up, the Bruins will welcome the College of Faith on Saturday afternoon to the Davis Field House. The team will also honor their lone senior, Corey Turner, for senior day at the game.
