The Lady Bruins started well, but stalled as the team suffered a tough loss in their season opener on Saturday. The Bruins fell to the Johnson University Royals 68-62 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
"We just couldn't make baskets consistently and didn't play well enough defensively to overcome a poor shooting night," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "We worked really hard and out-rebounded them but just couldn't score."
The Royals jumped out to a 5-0 lead with back to back baskets as the game was underway. The Bruins were able to battle back and take the lead before Rachel Clark and Madison Shupe sparked a run with back to back three-point shots as the Bruins went up 17-8. That run helped the Bruins finish the quarter well as they led 19-12 after the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, the Bruins shooting went cold as the team couldn't seem to find a way to score. As a result, the Royals climbed back into the game and then went on a run to overtake the Bruins as Johnson University led 33-29 at the half.
Taylor Thurman recorded an and-one to give the Royals momentum as the second half began. Thurman had two more baskets as they Royals continued to maintain a slim lead. The Bruins were able to knock down some free throws before another three-point shot by Shupe cut the deficit to 42-41. The Royals then responded with another late quarter run to lead 50-46 at the end of the third.
The Bruins came roaring back in the fourth quarter as Shupe knocked down another three to help the Bruins battle back to tie the game 55-55. With just under three minutes to play, the Royals knocked down a three-point shot giving them a 64-60 lead. Kylee Leffew scored in the paint to make it a one possession game with just a minute and a half to go. The Royals then used clutch free throw shooting down the stretch as they defeated the Bruins 70-62.
Madison Shupe led the Bruins with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals in the game. Sarah Thomsen was the only other Bruin in double figures as she finished with 13. The Bruins dominated the rebounding margin 51-29 but the team shot just 25% from three-point range and 33% for the game as they fall to 0-1 on the season.
Next up, the Lady Bruins will be on the road again on Friday as they play Hiwassee College in Knoxville, Tennessee.
