Box Score
The Lady Bruins ran out of clock on Tuesday night as the team's rally came up just short in a 74-65 loss to Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sarah Thomsen led the Bruins with 15 points on the night while Kylee Leffew finished with 13. With the loss, the Lady Bruins fall to 6-11 on the season.
"We dug a hole for ourselves early on but our players gave a valiant effort in fighting their way back into the game," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said.
The Bruins came into the game on the heels of back to back wins over Trinity College and Piedmont International University. The team knew they would be in for a challenge as they faced the USCAA #2 ranked Wildcats.
In the opening minutes, the Wildcats came out with a 6-2 lead but the Bruins bounced back with five-straight points to take the upper hand. The Wildcats caught fire as they forced the Bruins into turnovers as they closed out the opening quarter on an 18-5 run to lead 24-12.
As the second quarter began, the Bruins were determined to claw their way back into the game and they did so on the shooting of Sarah Thomsen and Kylee Leffew as the pair helped spark a run with the Bruins trailing 25-20. The team would have to play much of the half without Sha'Ron Brunson as the senior was sidelined due to foul trouble. The Wildcats maintained the lead as they again closed out the quarter strong to take a 36-25 advantage into halftime.
The Bruins came out strong in the second half as the team was able to find their rhythm on both sides of the ball. Kylee Leffew again played solid in the post an Sydney Bedsaul knocked down a three as the Bruins battled back to within four 45-41. The Wildcats were able to hit a basket before the third quarter ended as the score was 47-41 with just one quarter to play.
In the fourth quarter, the Bruins looked to finish the comeback. Instead, another small run for the Wildcats helped JWU take a 59-47 lead. Undaunted the Bruins continued to battle as Sha'Ron Brunson made a layup, hit a three point shot and then made another layup to cut the lead to 67-61. With one minute to play, the Bruins were within striking distance at 69-65. Clutch free throws down the stretch allowed the Wildcats to hang on as the Bruins fell 74-65.
"Our effort in the 2nd half was awesome," Coach LeViere said. "It was a great game played by two teams fighting hard to accomplish their goals. We came up just a little short but proud of our effort. Once we got those little things under control in the second half we were able to cut down a large lead but just couldn't finish it."
The Bruins finished the game shooting 38% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc. The team lost the rebounding margin to the Wildcats 38-27 and committed 18 turnovers in the game. Next up, the Bruins will be back home for two straight games this upcoming weekend. On Friday, the Bruins will welcome Pensacola Christian College to the Davis Field House at 5 p.m.
