The Bruins came up short on Saturday evening as the team fell to #2 seeded Johnson University (FL) 68-66 in the championship game of the NCCAA DII South Regional Tournament. With the loss, the Bruins will await the decision of the NCCAA championship committee to see if they will be awarded an at-large bid to compete at the national tournament.
Coming into the regional tournament, the Bruins had secured the #1 seed thanks to an undefeated region record this season. The team had turned in a dominant performance on Friday night as they defeated #4 Southeastern Baptist College 94-59. The Suns entered the championship game after defeating #3 Toccoa Falls College 72-49.
Earlier this season, the Bruins and Suns had battled in Kissimmee, Florida, with the Bruins getting the road win 82-80. Two teams took the court at the Davis Field House but only one would walk off with the championship.
From the opening tip, the Suns came out strong as they knocked down back to back shots to take a 7-1 lead. The Bruins were back on their heels but Nate Ellenwood and Elijah Cupples knocked down back to back threes to spark a 15-2 run as the Bruins stormed back to lead 18-11.
As the half wore on, the Bruins and Suns went back and forth trading baskets and short runs but the Bruins kept the slight edge. The Suns were able to regain the lead as they relied on the scoring touch of Freddie Word who finished with 27 points on the night. The Bruins answered right back with a layup from Nate Ellenwood as the team closed out the first half with a 33-29 lead.
In the second half, the Bruins came out looking to put the Suns away. Devin Dean scored on a layup while Cupples hit another three as the Bruins pushed their lead to 42-33. Again, the Suns stayed within striking distance as continued to keep pace with the Bruins scoring attack with key shots at key times in the second half.
With under seven minutes to go, the Suns stormed back to reclaim the lead as Raymond McLeod scored on a layup to put Johnson up 53-52. From there, the game had seven lead changes as both teams put everything they had on the line with the hopes of capturing the region championship.
Nate Ellenwood hit a three with two minutes to go as the Bruins trailed 66-64. On the next possession, the Bruins got the ball back thanks to a turnover from the Suns. The Bruins tied the game at 66-66 as Devin Dean made a layup and was fouled on the play. After missing the free throw, the Suns came back with the next possession and Word again came up big as he scored in the lane to put the Suns up 68-66.
After a defensive stand, the Bruins got the ball back with just 10 seconds to play. Nate Ellenwood drove through the lane, but his shot came up short as the Suns stormed the court in celebration as the upset the Bruins 68-66.
The Bruins had four players score in double figures with Devin Dean leading the way with 17 points in the loss. Nate Ellenwood had a near triple-double in the game with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
While the Bruins had many opportunities to get the win, key turnovers throughout the second half proved costly as the team missed out on winning their third region championship in the last four seasons.
The Bruins will await the decision from the NCCAA Championship Committee to see if they will receive an at-large bid to compete at the national tournament. Final seeding and at-large selections will be made over the weekend.
