Box Score
Despite five players scoring in double figures for the Lady Bruins on Tuesday night, the team came up short as they fell to Johnson and Wales University 87-79 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"We played really hard and with a lot of desire," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "We need to play smarter at times and when that intelligence combines with that, effort we will see some great things happen."
The Bruins came into the game after winning three of their last four games including a victory over Columbia International University on Friday night. They knew they wold be in for a tough road test as they battled the #11 ranked team in the USCAA. The Wildcats entered Tuesday night with a 9-5 record on the season.
Both teams came out strong from the opening tip as each worked the ball inside for points and knocked down their shots from the outside. Sydney Bedsaul continued her hot-streak for the team as she made back to back baskets to give the Bruins a 13-11 edge. But the Wildcats closed out the quarter strong as they took a 15-13 lead into the 2nd quarter.
The Wildcats stormed out of the gate with an 8-0 run to begin the second quarter as the Bruins were back on their heels. But the team responded to the challenge as Sarah Thomsen and Sha'Ron Brunson knocked down a pair of threes to bring the Bruins right back into the game. The team also got great play from their post player as Amanda Bates and Kylee Leffew battled for rebounds and points in the paint. Bates earned several trips to the line which she converted as the sophomore forward shot and impressive 80% from the line in the game. Still, the Wildcats refused to relinquish the lead as JWU led 37-31 at halftime.
"We struggled to finish the play defensively," Coach LeViere said. "We often got them to take the shot we wanted but then didn't get the rebound and gave them extra chances."
In the second half, the Wildcats used another early quarter run to increase their lead. But again, the Lady Bruins clawed their way back into the game as Kylee Leffew scored points in the key and Sha'Ron Brunson knocked down an outside shot as the team trailed JWU 51-45. The Wildcats responded to the Bruins run with back to back baskets as they again stretched the lead. The Bruins closed out the quarter strong, particularly from the charity stripe as the team prepared for the fourth quarter down 62-58.
With just one quarter to play, the Bruins looked to steal a road win and came out looking to climb on top. But each basket by the Bruins was met with an answered basket on the other end as the team couldn't seem to overtake the Wildcats. With under three minutes to play, Amanda Bates knocked down her 8th free throw shot to help the Bruins climb within six. But the Wildcats responded with a basket to end the Bruins hopes at a late comeback as the team fell to JWU 87-79.
"This was a good team we played tonight and we were right there all the way until the end," Coach LeViere said. "We are starting to play some really good basketball and the team is maturing to where we can change defenses on the fly. That is a really good sign for us at this point in the season."
Amanda Bates led the Bruins with 18 points and 7 rebounds in just 19 minutes on the floor. Kylee Leffew also turned in a strong performance for the team in the post with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Sha'Ron Brunson and Sydney Bedsaul each scored 15 points while Sarah Thomsen finished with 11. The Wildcats took advantage of their size as the team outrebounded BJU 52-36, including snagging 21 offensive rebounds.
With the loss, the Lady Bruins fall to 10-12 on the season. Next up, the team will play an important region matchup on Friday night as they welcome Trinity College to the Davis Field House.
