The Bruins picked up another region win on Tuesday night as the team held off a late rally by Toccoa Falls College to win 92-88 in the Davis Field House. With the win, the Bruins remain unbeaten in region play at 3-0 and improve to 4-6 on the season. The Bruins were led by a one-two punch as Hayes Brush finished with 25 points and Devin Dean 22 in the win.
"We were able to change things up at halftime defensively and that helped us as we came out in the second half," Bruins Head Coach Burton Uwarow said. "We did a decent job handling their press as this is a team we likely will face again in the regional tournament. We did a good job of limiting turnovers and I'm proud of the way we were able to pull out the win tonight."
The Bruins came into the game looking to bounce back after a tough road loss to Johnson University (TN) on Saturday. The Bruins and Screaming Eagles had played last week in Toccoa Falls, Georgia, with the Bruins using a late run in the second half to win 93-86. With the regular season nearing a close, both teams hoped to pick up an important region win as the two teams took the court.
Prior to the start of the game, the Bruins honored Chapman Harwood, the lone senior on the roster this season. Harwood has battled adversity throughout his career and has been involved in helping the Bruins capture two NCCAA DII South Region Championships and a national runner-up during the 2017-18 season.
"The guys all know Chapman to be a selfless teammate and a great person," Coach Uwarow said. "Chapman has been through a lot in his career but he has done so much for this program and he will leave some big shoes to fill in the future."
From the opening tip, the game went back and forth with the teams trading baskets and the lead in the early goings. Near the midway point of the half, Stephan Hugley and Eli Cupples hit threes from beyond the arc to spark an 11-1 run and help the Bruins take a 19-12 lead. The Screaming Eagles came right back with back to back threes and an 8-0 run to lead 20-19.
As the first half was coming to a close, both teams continued to battle and take a slim lead. The Bruins were able to close out the half strong as Stephan Hugley scored on a baseline layup with just two seconds remaining to give the team a 51-48 edge at halftime.
In the second half, the Bruins came out looking to extend their lead. Hayes Brush and Quincey Sibley each scored layups before Brush brought the crowd to its feet with a two-handed slam dunk to give the Bruins a 57-52 lead. The Bruins continued to maintain the upper hand and kept a slim lead as they answered the Screaming Eagles' baskets point for point.
Devin Dean provided a big spark offensively for the Bruins in the second half as the sophomore guard was a perfect 4-4 from three-point range. Dean's biggest three came with just over two minutes remaining as his three gave the Bruins an 85-79 lead. Toccoa refused to back down as the team battled back in the late stages of the game to trail 88-86. From there, the Bruins calmly made key free throws down the stretch as the team held on for a 92-88 win.
"At this time of the year, we are trying to get the most game experience possible as we close out the regular season," Coach Uwarow said. "Since we have been limited in games, we are scheduling some tough teams that will help prepare us well going into regionals."
Devin Dean had a near double-double performance with 22 points and 9 rebounds while shooting an incredible 73% from the floor. The Bruins were able to limit turnovers as the team shot 55% from the floor and 74% as a team from the free throw line.
Next up, the Bruins will welcome Erskine College on Thursday night to the Davis Field House.
