The Lady Bruins basketball team was on the road on Thursday night as the team played their first preseason exhibition of the season. The Bruins were shorthanded on the night with several players were sidelined due to COVID protocols as Montreat College defeated BJU 84-56 in Montreat, North Carolina.
"We were definitely rusty coming into our first exhibition of the year, especially against a team that has a bunch of game experience already this season," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "Offensively had lots of miscues and those were expected. Defensively we took a while to figure things out and they took advantage offensively."
The Bruins came into the game after what has been a hard beginning to the 2020-21 season. The Bruins were scheduled to play a slate of opening games in the first semester, but after some COVID positive test results in weekly testing, the team had several games canceled. Still, the Bruins were excited to be back on the court as they faced the Cavaliers.
From the opening tip, the two teams exchanged baskets as the score remained close early on. The Bruins were able to get in the lane as seniors Delaney Edwards and Gracen Ledford scored points in the paint. The Cavs were able to hit back to back shots which sparked a 10-1 run for Montreat as they took a 17-10 lead. Bethany Daulton was able to knock down a three, but the Cavs came right back as they closed out the first quarter strong to lead 28-14.
The Bruins hit back to back shots to cut into the lead in the second quarter, but another big run by the Cavs pushed their lead to double digits 45-24. The Bruins tried to claw their way back into the game, but several turnovers turned into extra opportunities for the Cavs. At the half, the Bruins trailed 48-24.
As the second half began, the Bruins came out looking to cut into the lead. The Cavs again came out strong as they pushed the tempo and went on an 8-0 run to begin the quarter. The Bruins were able to execute several good possessions offensively, but still found themselves trailing 76-39 as the two teams headed into the final quarter.
With the game decided, the Bruins came out looking to finish strong and build some momentum heading into the break. Freshman Brittany Williams scored six straight points for the Bruins to begin the quarter while Gracen Ledford and Jessiann Wiedmann also hit shots for the team. The Bruins outscored the Cavs 17-8 in the final frame but their deficit was too much to overcome as they fell to Montreat 84-56.
"As I told the team coming away from tonight, we are going to be just fine," Coach LeViere said. "We have a lot to work with on the returner side and our freshmen are definitely going to help us in the future."
Delaney Edwards led the Bruins with 11 points and 5 rebounds while Gracen Ledford had 10 points shooting 50% from the floor. Freshman Brittany Williams had a solid debut for the Bruins finishing with 10 points and 6 rebounds.
This is the only exhibition the Bruins will play this fall semester as the Bruins look to come out strong to begin 2021.
