The Bruins had the lead late into the second half, but a late run by Huntington College was the difference as BJU fell 92-89 in LaGrange, Georgia, on Friday night. Five players scored in double figures for the team with Daniel Fuller leading the way with 19 points on 5-8 shooting from three-point range. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 2-4 on the season.
"Frankly this is a game that we should have won," Bruins Head Coach Burton Uwarow said. "The first half was probably the best half of our season. It really was a tale of two halves. We continue to struggle with turnovers and we're working on it but right now we just haven't had the reps to get better."
The Bruins came into the game after winning two of their last three games including a road victory over Brevard College on Tuesday night. Huntingdon College came into the game at 0-3 and were looking for their first win of the season.
From the opening tip, the Bruins came out strong as Zac Orr and Chapman Harwood made baskets and Daniel Fuller hit a three to help the Bruins take a 9-2 lead. Freshman Hayes Brush got into the scoring mix with a jumper and a three-point shot as the Bruins continued to execute their offense and build a 20-8 lead.
Near the midway point of the half, the Hawks began to chip away at the Bruins lead. Still, the Bruins kept the upper hand thanks to Brush who scored eight first-half points and was a perfect 3-3 from the field. The Hawks were able to make a run near the end of the half, but the Bruins took a 39-30 lead into the break.
As the second half began, the Bruins came out looking to extend their lead. The team went on a run thanks to threes from Chapman Harwood and Nate Ellenwood followed by a layup by Cam McKennedy as the team led the Hawks 51-40. The Bruins continued to maintain their double digit lead as they matched the Hawks basket for basket.
With the game coming to a close, momentum began to shift as costly turnovers by the Bruins turned into points for the Hawks. With just over seven minutes remaining, the Hawks stormed back to take their first lead since the beginning of the game as a three by Aaron Washington put Huntingdon up 74-71.
The Bruins tried to respond, but this time it was the Hawks that answered the Bruins basket for basket as they continued to keep the lead. With just under a minute to play, Nate Ellenwood hit a three to cut the lead to 89-86.
The Hawks calmly hit two free throws and the Bruins couldn't convert offensively on their next possession. This time, the Hawks made one of two free throws to extend their lead 92-86. Daniel Fuller was able to hit a three as time expired, but the buzzer ended the chances of a comeback as the Bruins fell 92-89.
"We schedule tough so that we find out what we need to work on early," Coach Uwarow said. "It's not pleasant anytime you go through a learning experience. It's not pleasant right now but with the fouls we committed and the turnovers, you aren't going to win games if you give your opponent that many opportunities to score."
Fuller's shooting from three fueled the Bruins as he finished with 19 points while Nate Ellenwood finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. The Bruins won the rebounding margin 31-25 but 22 turnovers by the team turned into a tough road loss.
Next up, the Bruins will wrap up their play at the LaGrange Thanksgiving Tournament as they face LaGrange College on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off for the game is set for 5 p.m.
