The Lady Bruins stormed out of the gate to take a commanding double-digit lead over Johnson and Wales University on Tuesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the Wildcats clawed their way back with a late rally to overtake the Bruins and win 81-75. With the loss, the Bruins drop their third straight and fall to 6-12 on the season.
"Even though we came up short on the scoreboard, we played pretty well overall," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "Turnovers in the second half really hurt us and it is hard to beat a quality team when you do that to yourself."
The Bruins came into the game on the heels of a difficult region loss to Johnson University in Kissimmee, Florida on January 5. The team had some extra time between games and was determined to get back into the winning column as they took the court at the Wildcat Center.
In the opening minutes of the game, the Wildcats rode the energy of the crowd to take an early lead. The Bruins then caught fire as Madison Shupe hit a pair of threes and Sydney Bedsaul added another from long range to spark a 22-3 run to close out the opening quarter. In that run, the Bruins offense was relentless at finding the open shooter, attacking the rim and converting from the free throw line. As a result, the Bruins had a 26-11 lead after the opening quarter.
As the second quarter began, the Bruins came out looking to add to their lead. Shupe knocked down another three from deep as the Bruins looked to pick up where they left off. The hometown Wildcats had other plans as JWU went on a 9-0 run to cut into the Bruins lead. Sarah Thomsen hit a three to stop the bleeding for the Bruins, but the Wildcats continued to find the answer on the offensive end.
Sydney Bedsaul provided a spark with back to back three point shots but the Wildcats answered as JWU closed the second quarter strong to cut the lead back to single digits with the Bruins leading 48-39 at halftime.
The two teams traded baskets to begin the second half with the Bruins maintaining the upper hand. After a three-point shot by Madison Shupe, the Bruins led 55-45. From there, the Wildcats caught fire as a 13-2 run overcame the deficit to tie the game at 57-57. Thanks to a pair of free throws by Lauren Smith, the Bruins took a slim lead into the final quarter 59-58.
With momentum on their side, the Wildcat fans knew their team was within striking distance of a dramatic comeback. Still, the Bruins held a slim lead thanks to Shupe and Bedsaul's good shooting from the outside.
Kylee Leffew banked home a layup with just over five minutes to play to give the Bruins a 68-64 lead. With the game nearing its end, each possession and shot became that much more critical. The Wildcats were able to make free throws to cut into the lead before Madison Shupe hit a dagger three-point shot with just over three minutes to go to help the Bruins lead 72-68.
Both teams exchanged free throws and baskets with the lead flip-flopping several times in the closing minutes. Shupe was able to make a layup with just over a minute to go to give the Bruins the lead, but Jada Morgan answered right back for the Wildcats with a layup of her own as JWU led 76-75.
On the next possession, the Bruins had a costly turnover and the Wildcats took advantage as they made a jump shot to go up 78-75. Down the stretch, the Wildcats were able to ice the victory as free throws in the final seconds completed the comeback in an 81-75 win.
"They are a really good team and we had them on the ropes," Coach LeViere said. "We just didn't sustain the level of play that was necessary to get the win."
Madison Shupe led the Bruins with a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Sarah Thomsen scored 19 points and Sydney Bedsaul had 14 for the team. Kylee Leffew rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Bruins with 11 points and six boards. The Wildcats were able to outrebound the Bruins 44-34 and forced BJU into 22 turnovers in the game.
Next up, the Bruins will be back home on Friday as they welcome region-rival Pensacola Christian College to the Davis Field House.
