It wasn't the prettiest game, but the Bruins were able to pick up their first NCCAA South Region win as well as their first win of 2022 tonight against Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida. Delaney Edwards and Tamrah Konieczka were key for the women's team as Edwards came away with a double-double and led the Bruins with 21 points and Konieczka hitting some big three-pointers to help the Bruins come away with the 65-52 victory. With tonight's win, the Bruins have improved to 6-8 on the season.
"It was nice to get the win when we didn't play well," said Head Coach Mike LeViere. "Poor shooting was maybe to be expected as we end a road trip. I'm glad for the effort, but this an example of a time where we won on the scoreboard but definitely feel like we walked away unsuccessful."
Tonight's game came at the end of their week-long Florida road trip for the Bruins. Their first stop was at Warner University last Tuesday where they fell 62-75. The Eagles were searching for their first win of the season with their last loss coming on December 18 against Florida National University.
From the opening tip, the Bruins gained early possession and after a few missed shots Shea Dickinson was successful in getting the Bruins on the board and off to an early lead. Both teams battled back and forth in the first 10 minutes but two successful free throws by Delaney Edwards and a clutch three-pointer byTamrah Konieczka in the final minute was good enough to give the Bruins the 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles slowly came back in the second quarter and out-shot the Bruins 18-13, but both teams continued to push for points and the two sides went into halftime even at 26 points. Ainsley Hutton and Kyla Worley both contributed 4 points apiece in the second quarter.
Ainsley Hutton would break the deadlock with a jumper at the start of the 3rd quarter. After the Eagles knotted the game once again, Delaney Edwards would go on to score nine consecutive points to regain the lead for Bob Jones. As the 3rd quarter came to an end, the Bruins had an eight point advantage over the Eagles leading 45-37.
The scoring continued in the final quarter for the Bruins and with just under 2 minutes remaining in the game, they held a 19 point lead. The game ended with the Bruins winning 65-53. Tonight's win was their first victory since December 7 against Brevard College.
Looking at some positives from tonight, Coach LeViere said that "it's a really good thing when we can have an off night and be up by 19 points in the fourth quarter. We let them out rebound us most of the game and our decision making was really bad but the ladies overcame that to grit out a win."
Delaney Edwards led in points, rebounds and steals this evening. Tamrah Konieczka was close behind with 14 points and hit four 3-pointers for the Bruins tonight.
Next up, the Bruins are back home as they host Johnson University (FL) on Friday night.
