The Bruins basketball season came to an abrupt end on Thursday night as the team was upset by #6 Southeastern Baptist College 90-86 in double overtime of the quarterfinal round of the NCCAA DII South Regional Tournament in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. With the loss, the Bruins were eliminated from postseason play as the team finishes the 2020-21 season at 4-9 overall.
"We fought hard today," Bruins Head Coach Burton Uwarow said. "We played against a verteran team and came up short in double overtime. We just weren't deep enough to finish and move on."
Six players scored in double figures for the Bruins with Devin Dean leading the way with 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The Bruins came into the tournament as the #3 seed after finishing out the regular season with back to back losses to Carolina University and Johnson University (TN).
The Chargers entered Thursday's game at 2-8 overall, having won their regular season finale over Appalachian Bible College. A trip to the final four was on the line as the two teams took the court.
From the opening tip, the two teams went back and forth trading baskets and the early lead. Chapman Harwood knocked down a three to help the Bruins jump ahead 11-4 but the Chargers answered back with a run to take a 14-13 lead near the midway point of the half.
The Bruins rode the scoring touch of Devin Dean and Quincey Sibley as the pair drove through the lane for points. Sibley hit a three for the Bruins with just under five minutes to play in the first half to give BJU the lead 25-24. The Chargers answered by by closing the half strong as they led 32-29 at the halftime break.
In the second half, the Bruins came out and tied the game on the first possession as Chapman Harwood again connected from deep. Eli Cupples then scored nine straight points for the Bruins as the team led 41-34 and began to carry momentum into the midway point of the second half. Stephan Hugley gave the Bruins a double digit lead as he scored in the paint to make it 48-38. The Bruins then went on a run as Eli Cupples and Devin Dean hit threes to put the Bruins up 58-44.
It looked as though the Bruins were beginning to put the game out of reach, but the Chargers refused to back down as they stayed within striking distance. With minutes to play in the game, SBC went on a 12-0 run to storm back and tie the game 62-62.
Momentum had swung back to the Chargers and it showed as they maintained a slim lead into the final minutes. Back and forth the two teams went before Devin Dean gave the Bruins a 74-72 lead with a layup with just over a minute left. The Chargers were able to tie the game late as Khalif Meares hit two key free throws to send the game into overtime tied 74-74.
In overtime, the Chargers and Bruins traded free throws as the score remained tied. After the Bruins had pulled ahead 78-76, they again looked to close out the Chargers and advance to the semifinal. Instead, Jacob York scored in the paint with less than a minute to go and Chapman Harwood's long three didn't fall as the teams went into a second overtime tied 78-78.
Both teams came out again for the second overtime knowing one team would eventually outlast the other and get the win. Khalif Meares scored for the Chargers on the fits posession to give SBC an 80-78 lead. The Bruins tried to answer but shots from Eli Cupples, Quincey Sibley and Stephan Hugley each rimmed out.
The Chargers then extended their lead thanks to a basket in the paint by Glenn Grover as SBC led 82-78. The Bruins battled back as a jumper by Devin Dean with just over two minutes to play cut the deficit to 84-83.
On the next possession, the Chargers got a clutch play as Emmanuael Seldon scored and was fouled on the play. After converting the free throw, the Bruins tried to claw their way back into the game, but the Chargers hit key free throws down the stretch to complete the upset and defeat the Bruins 90-86.
The Bruins finished the game shooting 41% from the field and 30% from behind the arc, while staying even in the rebounding margin 48-48 with SBC. While the result is disappointing, the Bruins can look back with pride on what they have overcome this season.
From all of the challenges with the COVID pandemic, to losing key players in the final stretches of the season to injury, the team continued to overcome adversity and leave it all on the court. With a core group of returners to next year's lineup, the future looks bright for the team in years to come.
