Box Score
Despite having a three-point cushion at the break, the Bruins couldn't hold off Montreat College as the Cavs stormed back to win the game 95-83. "It was a tale of two halves in this game," Bruins Head Coach Neal Ring said. "They did a great job of getting the ball inside and we just didn't defend well. I was pleased with the effort and intensity especially with it being a Monday night game after a road trip."
The Bruins came into the game on Monday night after splitting their two-game road trip in Florida this past weekend. The team snapped their 7-game losing streak with a 72-69 win over Florida College on Friday night. The team looked to keep up the momentum as they took the court against the Cavaliers.
As the game began, the Bruins and Cavs each knocked down open looks but neither was able to gain a large lead. Marshall Riddle knocked down back to back three point shots as the Bruins trailed 12-11. From there, the Cavs went on a 7-0 run to grab momentum but the Bruins responded with back to back buckets from Quez Fisher to climb right back into the game.
Throughout the remainder of the half, each team went on short runs but neither was able to pull away. The Bruins stayed in the game by driving through the lane and converting their free throw attempts. With just over two minutes to play, Marshall Riddle again knocked down a three point bomb sparking a run for the Bruins as the team closed out the half with a 47-44 lead.
In the second half, the Bruins came out looking to add to their lead but the Cavs climbed back to tie the game early on. Dustin Killough helped the Bruins stay on top by getting tough points on the drive while big-man Quez Fisher continued to use his size to get high-percentage shots around the rim. Despite the good offensive play, the Bruins couldn't seem to find a way to slow the Cavs as Montreat stayed neck and neck throughout the game.
With just over nine minutes remaining, the Cavs found the run they needed as they scored eleven straight points to gain a double-digit advantage. After a Bruins timeout, the team came out looking to go on a run of their own. But costly turnovers began to take their toll on the Bruins and the Cavs took advantage to stretch the lead. A bucket by the Cavs' Alonzo Mobley put Montreat up 83-64 with just over four minutes to play.
Despite strong play in the final minutes by the Bruins, the hole was too much to overcome as the Cavs held on to win the game 95-83. "We needed to respond when the time came and we just couldn't hang onto the basketball," Coach Ring said. "We're still continuing to adjust our rotations and this game should help us to correct a few things and help us to continue to improve moving forward."
Dustin Killough led the Bruins with 18 points on the night while shooting an impressive 83% from the floor and a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc. Quez Fisher finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds while Marshall Riddle scored 15. Twenty-three turnovers proved to be costly for the Bruins as the team falls to 3-15 on the season.
Next up, the Bruins will play an important region game on Thursday night as they travel to Toccoa Falls College.
