The Bruins were on the road on Saturday afternoon as the team battled #2 ranked Johnson University (TN) in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Bruins shot 50% from the field as a team and Hayes Brush led the Bruins with 19 points and 5 rebounds but the team fell short in a 100-77 loss to the Royals. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 3-6 on the season.
"Playing a top team like Johnson reveals all of your flaws as a team," Bruins Head Coach Burton Uwarow said. "I believe in this group and I know we'll get better and learn from this."
The Bruins came into the game following back to back wins over Carolina Christian and Toccoa Falls. The team has begun to find their groove offensively as multiple players scored in double-figures in recent wins. The Bruins knew they would have to be at their best on Saturday as they faced the Royals who came into the game at 8-6 overall after just having their 7-game winning streak snapped earlier this week.
From the opening tip, the two teams went back and forth with the Bruins grabbing the early lead. Layups by Mark Dickerson and Quincey Sibley helped the team lead 13-7 and the Bruins did a great job of holding off the high-powered Royals as the half went on.
As the first half began to draw to a close, the Royals found their answer to get back into the game on the scoring touch of Coby Jones who hit several threes and finished the first half with 20 points. As a result, the Royals stormed back to take a 40-32 lead into halftime over the Bruins.
Hayes Brush gave the Bruins a spark to begin the second half as the sophomore guard scored back to back baskets to cut into the lead. Still, the Royals were able to maintain the lead as they answered the Bruins basket for basket. Another short run by the Royals pushed the lead to double-digits as the teams neared the midway point of the second half.
The Bruins again tried to go on a run to get back into the game, but the team couldn't seem to slow the Royals offensively as Johnson continued to maintain the upper hand. In the end, the Royals were able to force 22 turnovers by the Bruins which proved to be crucial in a 100-77 loss.
"These games give you maturity in a way that nothing else can," Coach Uwarow said.
Hayes Brush led the Bruins with 19 points while shooting 73% from the field. Quincey Sibley also finished in double-digits on the night with 12 points and 4 rebounds. The Bruins fell short in the rebounding margin 40-29 while allowing the Royals to shoot 52% deom rhw field and go 94% as a team from the foul line.
Next up, the Bruins will be back home on Tuesday night for the first of two home games next week in the Davis Field House. The Bruins will look to remain unbeaten in South Region play as the team welcomes Toccoa Falls College on Tuesday night with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
