Box Score
Kylee Leffew and Madison Shupe each put up 15 points for the Lady Bruins, but that ultimately wasn't enough as the #1 seeded Arlington Baptist College Patriots defeated Bob Jones University 86-68 in the NCCAA DII National Semifinal. Arlington Baptist entered the game as the back-to-back defending national champions. "I think our team did a great job of accepting the challenge of playing the number one seed," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said.
The Patriots quickly went on a 6-0 to start off the game strong. Sydney Bedsaul hit a three to end the Patriots' run and cut the lead to 6-3. That set the tone for what would be a very even quarter. Later in the quarter, a big three by Madison Shupe cut the Patriots' lead to only one at 16-15 and Shupe was able to sink another big three to tie the game at 18-18. The Patriots answered the tie with a 5-0 run to take a 23-18 lead, but Kylee Leffew was able to sink two free throws to make the score 23-20 at the end of the quarter.
The Lady Bruins entered the second quarter with the momentum on their side and looking to take the lead. However, the Patriots started off the quarter with a strong 8-0 run to take a 31-20 lead. Shupe ended the Patriots' run with her third three of the game to put the Lady Bruins back into a single-digit deficit at 31-23. Shupe hit her fourth three to cut the lead down to five at 35-30 and that score sparked a 9-0 Lady Bruins run as the team fought back to tie the game at 35-35. After Thomsen was fouled shortly after that, the Lady Bruins a took their first lead of the game at 36-35. The Patriots came right back as they went on their own 9-0 run to take a 49-41 lead in the final seconds of the quarter. Sha'Ron Brunson was fouled right before the quarter ended and made a free throw to make the score 49-42 entering halftime.
The Patriots charged into the third quarter with a 12-0 run to take a commanding 61-42 lead. Rachel Clark finally ended the Lady Bruins scoring drought and the Patriots' run to make the score 61-44. Lauren Smith sunk a pair of buckets to cut the deficit down to 65-50 and start the team on a 7-0 run. Following a free throw from Gracen Ledford, Smith hit another bucket to make the score 65-53. The Patriots ended the Lady Bruins' run after they hit two free throws to boost their lead to 67-56. Another bucket by Smith and a free throw from Leffew cut the lead down to ten, but the Patriots made a free throw at the very end of the quarter to take a 68-57 lead.
With just one quarter to play, the Bruins looked to claw their way back into the game. Ledford opened the quarter by scoring a layup, but that didn't stop the Patriots from going on another early quarter run. Thomsen ended the Patriots' 7-0 run with a two-pointer to make the score 75-61. The Patriots were able to put together another run after Thomsen's bucket, this time a 5-0 run to take an 80-61 lead to put the game out of reach. Despite the Bruins' efforts, they couldn't cut into the lead as the Patriots secured their 4th straight NCCAA DII National Title game appearance with an 86-68 win.
"I'm really proud of our team," LeViere said. "We could have folded up our tents and gone home but we didn't. Our field goal percentage inside the three point line really hurt, but the hustle was there. Just a couple turnovers and a couple finishes at the rim and we're right back in that game."
Four different Bruins scored in double figures on the day as Kylee Leffew and Madison Shupe led the way with 15 points each. Lauren Smith and Sarah Thomsen scored 10 apiece as the team's hopes for a national title came to an end. The Lady Bruins will play their final game of the season tomorrow in the 3rd place consolation game. The Lady Bruins will play the loser of the other semifinal game between #3 Kentucky Christian University and #2 Pensacola Christian College.
