The Lady Bruins started slow and weren't able to recover as the team fell to Welch College on Friday afternoon in LaGrange, Georgia. Three players scored in double figures with Madison Shupe leading the way with 19 points and 5 rebounds. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 1-4 on the season.
"We just didn't come out focused and ready like we needed to," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "We had lots of defensive lapses that resulted in easy buckets early for Welch and we just never got into a rhythm offensively."
Sarah Thomsen made a layup for the first points of the game for the Bruins but the Flames answered back as Abby Bragg knocked down back to back threes to help spark a 9-0 run for Welch College. After a basket by Delaney Edwards, the Flames caught fire again as Bragg hit another three to spark another run. The Bruins couldn't seem to knock down their shots and found themselves in a hole after the first quarter down 24-9.
Looking to get back into the game, the Bruins came out but immediately gave up a layup in the paint to the Flames. Coach LeViere called a timeout, but it didn't help slow the Flames as Bragg hit another three out of the timeout to put Welch College up 29-9. The Bruins relied on the shooting touch of Madison Shupe and she knocked down a pair of threes to help cut into the lead. Still, the Flames continued to maintain a double-digit lead as they kept up the pressure and converted open looks. At the half, the Bruins trailed 43-23.
In the second half, the Bruins came out looking to claw their way back into the game. Instead, Bragg again provided the outside bombs for the Flames as she again knocked down a pair of threes to extend the lead 49-25. Looking for an answer, the Bruins dug deep as Kylee Leffew scored in the paint while Sydney Bedsaul and Sarah Thomsen each scored from the outside which sparked a run for the Bruins as they cut the lead to 58-47 to close out the quarter.
With just one quarter to play, the Bruins still had ground to make up. Another quick start by the Flames increased their lead. Kylee Leffew knocked down a jumper to bring it back and Rachel Clark hit a three to cut the lead to single digits 61-54. The Bruins further closed the gap as Madison Shupe hit a three to bring the Bruins within five. With just minutes to play, the Bruins looked to complete a dramatic comeback but the Flames had other plans as they closed the game strong to hold off the Bruins 73-64.
Shupe shot 44% from beyond the arc as she recorded four threes on the game. Delaney Edwards finished the night with a near double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Sarah Thomsen had 10 points in the game. The Bruins again won the rebounding margin 44-33 and forced the Flames into 17 turnovers.
Next up, the Bruins will wrap up this three-game road trip with a matchup against Huntingdon College on Saturday at 12 p.m.
