Box Score
Sha'Ron Brunson finished with 22 points as the Lady Bruins picked up a huge region win tonight against the Toccoa Falls College Screaming Eagles. The win marks the third straight for the Lady Bruins, who improve to 9-12 overall and 3-1 in region play.
"We did really good running the floor," Brunson said. The Bruins were able to play with several different lineups as reserves got extended playing time. "It's good to have others come in and contribute and I think they did a good job," Brunson said.
Sydney Bedsaul and Sarah Thomsen each hit a three to give BJU a three-point lead early on 8-5. Both teams hit a scoring drought that ended a couple of minutes later when the Eagles scored. Sha'Ron Brunson was able to score twice in a row to give the Lady Bruins a nine-point advantage over the Eagles at 16-7. The Lady Bruins were able to keep their run alive as Rachel Clark made a free throw and Kylee Leffew stole the ball and scored as time expired. With Leffew's score, the Lady Bruins ended the first quarter on an 11-0 run and a 19-7 lead.
The Lady Bruins looked to keep their run alive into the second quarter, but the Eagles answered with a 6-0 run of their own. With the Lady Bruins' lead down to six, Leffew scored to end the Eagles' run and give the Bruins a 21-13 lead. The Eagles responded with a three to cut their deficit down to 21-16. Brunson and Jana Lehman both scored to put the Lady Bruins back up by double digits at 26-16. Following that score, both teams hit another scoring drought that lasted until just under four minutes remained in the quarter. The Eagles ended the drought and cut the Lady Bruins' lead to 26-18. The Lady Bruins then went on a 5-0 run to increase their lead to 34-18. At the half, the Lady Bruins led 35-24.
In the second half, the Lady Bruins started off with a bucket by Thomsen to bring their lead over the Eagles up to 37-24. The Eagles, hoping to kick-start a rally, responded with a three to trim the Lady Bruins' lead to 37-27. Brunson and Bedsaul both hit threes to put the Lady Bruins up 43-27. The Bruins weren't done as Brunson and Thomsen fueled the team to their second 11-0 run of the game. Now down 54-32, the Eagles were able to end the Lady Bruins' massive run with an "and one" at the shot-clock buzzer. The Eagles made the free throw and scored again to end the quarter with the Lady Bruins leading by 20 at 54-34.
"In the second half, the effort was better." Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "We executed better offensively and shot the ball better."
Madison Shupe scored a three to start off the fourth quarter and extend the Lady Bruins lead to 57-34. The Eagles scored their final bucket of the game off of a free throw to cut the Lady Bruins' lead to 59-41. Due to a short-handed bench, the Eagles had to play the final 2:21 with only four players on the court. The Bruins were able to take advantage as they closed the game on a 15-0 run to win handily 75-41.
Sha'Ron Brunson's 22 points led all scorers as the senior was also 7-7 from the free throw line. Sarah Thomsen finished with 16 points while Kylee Leffew had 11 and Sydney Bedaul scored 10. The Bruins won the rebounding margin 47-40 while forcing the Eagles into 19 turnovers.
The Lady Bruins return to action tomorrow when they face Johnson University (TN) in the David Field House. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
