The Bruins suffered another tough loss on Tuesday night as the team fell to Carolina University 68-58 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Bruins again battled back in the second half, but 25 turnovers in the game was too much to overcome as the team falls to 0-6 on the season.
"It's not hard to figure out where we have to improve," Bruins Head Coach Mike LeViere said. "We had too many turnovers and we were out rebounded. Despite our struggles, we overcame a hole and battled back and that shows a lot about this team. They are capable and have character and grit to fight back and not quit."
The Bruins came into the game on the heels of a region loss on Saturday as they fell to Toccoa Falls College 63-59. The Bruins met Carolina University last week at the Davis Field House with Carolina edging the Bruins 57-51. The Bruins looked to avenge that earlier season loss as both teams took the court.
From the opening tip, the Bruins struggled to maintain possession as turnovers gave Carolina an early lead. The Bruins tried to fight back, but found themselves trailing 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Bruins began to chip away at the lead thanks to the great play of senior Delaney Edwards in the post. Although the Bruins were cutting into the deficit, the team still found themselves playing from behind as the team trailed 34-22 at halftime.
The Bruins came out looking to cut into the lead and the team was able to find their rhythm in the third quarter to cut the lead to just five points. Again, turnovers proved to be a difference-maker as Carolina pushed their lead back out to 50-38 as the third quarter came to a close.
With one quarter to play, the Bruins remained within striking distance, but Carolina continued to stay on top thanks to the impressive play of Jad Sleet who finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Bruins couldn't find their way back into the game as the team fell 68-58 in a road loss
"We just have to stop beating ourselves," Coach LeViere said. "It is very frustrating to do a lot of things well and yet come away with the loss. We have to tighten things up, stop giving away possessions and reward ourselves for all that hard work."
Delaney Edwards had a dominant performance for the Bruins as she finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Edwards was the only player to score in double-figures for the Bruins as the team shot 37% from the field and 33% from behind the arc.
Next up, the Bruins will return home for back to back home games this weekend. First, the Bruins will welcome Carolina Christian College on Friday night with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m.
