The Bruins basketball team wrapped up their 2018-19 season on Saturday as the team fell to #1 seeded Randall University 79-64 in the 5th place game at the NCCAA DII National Tournament. With the loss, the Bruins finish the year at 10-19 overall.
"Our seniors really challenged the team to use this game as a chance to build momentum heading into the offseason," Bruins lead assistant coach Tony Miller said. "A lot of these guys don't have the experience of playing in nationals, so this gave them the opportunity to get that experience and motivate the guys to work hard and get better this offseason."
The Bruins earned the #7 seed for the tournament but were defeated in the quarterfinals by #2 seeded Grace Christian University. The team responded well though as they won their first consolation game on Friday with a victory over #6 Trinity Baptist College.
Randall University came into the tournament as the three-time defending national champion. However, the Saints were upset in the opening round by #8 seeded Maranatha Baptist University. The team responded well in the consolation bracket as they defeated #5 Arlington Baptist University 101-76.
The Bruins and Saints met last season in the NCCAA DII National Championship with the Saints edging the Bruins 86-84 to win their third-straight national title. Both teams took the court looking to end their season on a positive note.
Randall opened the game with back to back baskets but Daniel Fuller put the Bruins on the board with a three as the Bruins trailed 7-3 early on. Near the midway point of the first half, three pointers by Fuller and Blake Coleman and a layup by Zac Orr sparked an 8-0 run for the Bruins as the team battled back to lead 19-18.
Over the next few minutes, the two teams traded baskets and the lead before the Saints went on a 10-0 run to take the lead. The Bruins punched back with a 12-0 run to lead 33-30 with just seconds to go. The Saints scored on their next possession and then made a steal which turned into a layup as time expired to give Randall a 34-33 lead at the half.
In the second half, the Saints and Bruins traded baskets with the lead changing several times in the opening minutes. Back to back layups by Cam McKennedy gave the Bruins a 45-44 lead, but it didn't last long as the Saints answered right back. Randall continued to ride momentum as a 9-2 run gave them the upper hand.
The Bruins began to show signs of fatigue as the game was coming to a close with several turnovers and missed scoring opportunities. The Saints took advantage as they pushed the tempo leading to fast break points offensively. As the final buzzer sounded, the Bruins couldn't slow the Saints as Randall went on to win 79-64.
"This is the toughest team I've played on in my career," Bruins senior Matt DeHart said. "Every day these guys worked so hard and we faced so much adversity this year in what we had to deal with. I'm so proud of the way these guys embraced each other and there was never a 'me first' mentality from anyone on the team. This is a tough team and a close knit group and we are going to be better going forward."
Jayson Barnhart led the Bruins with 20 points in the game while Zac Orr recorded another double-double on the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Daniel Fuller also had 12 points in the loss.
It has been a season of adversity for the Bruins as the team has battled obstacles on and off the court this season. The Bruins began the year with seventeen players and that roster was trimmed to just nine players just two games into the season. Still, the team continued to battle as they closed out the season with a 7-1 region record.
The Bruins came up just short in capturing their third-straight NCCAA DII South Region Championship with a loss to Trinity, but earned their third-straight national tournament appearance with an at-large bid.
With just two seniors (DeHart and Gray) graduating and players returning to the lineup from injury, the Bruins basketball team looks primed to put the pieces together as the program pursues their first national title.
