Box Score
The Lady Bruins basketball team opened the 2017-18 regular season with a road win as the team defeated Hiwassee College 72-68 on Friday night in Knoxville, Tennessee.
"We're happy with our start," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "We played a lot of people and it took all of us to beat them. It was a really good start to the season but we have a lot to improve on."
The Bruins had four players in double figures on the night, but 28 turnovers turned into extra shots for the Tigers throughout. Still, the Bruins were able to make the shots they needed down the stretch to take the victory.
In the first quarter, the Bruins were able to settle into their rhythm of play as they moved the ball around to the open shooter. Defensively, the team did well to force the Tigers into tough shots. At the end of the first, the Bruins held an 18-10 lead.
The Tigers were able to chip into the Bruins lead in the second quarter behind the shooting of Tyskesha Vaughn who finished the night with 17 points. Still, the Bruins were able to keep the lead as Sydney Bedsaul provided the scoring touch from beyond the arc while freshman Faith Hart was 6-8 on the night with 17 points. As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Bruins took a 33-23 lead into the break.
As the third quarter began, the Bruins looked to stretch their lead but turnovers continued to plague the team as the Tigers took advantage. Despite several changes defensively, the Bruins couldn't seem to stop the run as the Tigers outscored the Bruins 26-12 in the quarter to climb right back into the game. At the end of the third, the Tigers had rallied to take a 49-45 lead.
With one quarter to play, both teams battled hard with each possession becoming that much more crucial. Hart continued to have a great performance for the Lady Bruins as she drove through the lane for points. Still, the two teams continued to trade the lead down the stretch before a Bruins run put them up 63-57 with just over four minutes remaining. Looking to claw their way back, the Tigers forced several turnovers in the final minutes as they climbed to within four 70-66. Clutch free throws by Sarah Thomsen with just seconds remaining allowed the Bruins to hang on for a 72-68 win.
"We outrebounded them but our turnovers allowed them to have 18 more shots than we did," Coach LeViere said. "That's a recipe for defeat but we were able to get the win because of the way we shot the ball. Our focus tonight was composure on offense and at times we really had to be reminded of that. Still, happy to get the win and now we're on to another test tomorrow."
Faith Hart led the Bruins with 17 points while Bedsaul finished with 14 and Sha'Ron Brunson and Sarah Thomsen each had 11. Mandy Bates also provided a tough presence in the post with 8 points and 7 rebounds while freshman Julia Simmons had 4 blocks and 2 steals. The Bruins won the rebounding 40-39 while shooting 44% from the field throughout the game. Next up, the Bruins will be back in action tomorrow in Knoxville, Tennessee as they battle Kentucky Christian University at 12 p.m.
