Box Score
The Lady Bruins put the Eagles back on their heels to begin the game, but the hometown team wouldn't be denied as Pensacola Christian College stormed back to win the game 79-62 on Saturday afternoon in Pensacola, Florida. Sha'Ron Brunson and Sarah Thomsen each scored 15 points as the team falls to 12-15 on the season and 6-2 in region play.
"They played really well and we didn't," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "Sometimes that happens. We aren't happy with the result but our effort was there."
The two teams met earlier in the season with the Lady Bruins edging the Eagles 51-45 in Greenville. But the Bruins knew the Eagles would be a much different team in their own stadium as the two teams took the court at Sports Center.
Before most fans had found their seats, the Bruins had stormed out of the gate as they knocked down shots to build an 11-2 lead. But the Eagles wouldn't go down that easily as they went on a 10-0 run to take the lead. Both teams traded baskets as the Bruins closed out the quarter up 20-19.
In the second quarter, the Eagles rode the scoring touch of Jessica Boyd as the sophomore forward was red-hot from the field finishing with 26 points on the night. Boyd continued to carry the Eagles as the half came to a close. Despite their attempts to get back on top, the Bruins went into the locker room trailing 42-35 at the half.
As the second half began, the Lady Bruins knocked down a three-point shot to cut into the lead. But turnovers began to plagued the Bruins as the team coughed up several offensive opportunities which led to transition points for the Eagles. Still, the Bruins remained within striking distance as the 3rd quarter came to a close with PCC up 56-47.
In the final quarter, the hometown crowd could smell the victory and they energized the Eagles to go on an offensive run. The Bruins tried to claw their way back into the game as Sarah Thomsen had several good baskets for the team, but still BJU trailed. As the final buzzer sounded, the Bruins hopes of a comeback were ended as the team fell 79-62.
"It is time for us to play well plain and simple," Coach LeViere said. "The key to this loss will be in how we respond. We have some tough opponents coming up before we play in the regionals."
Sha'Ron Brunson and Sarah Thomsen were the only players to scored in double figures with 15 each. The team outrebounded the Eagles 43-41, but 31 turnovers were costly for BJU in the game. With the loss, the team falls to 12-15 on the season. Next up, the Bruins will host Erskine College on Monday night in Greenville.
