The Bruins battled to a hard fought victory on Saturday afternoon as the team edged Johnson University (FL) 82-80 in Kissimmee, Florida, to wrap up the week with a win. The Bruins improve to 5-8 on the season and move to 1-0 in South region play.
"We had to gut out a win today and I am proud of the way our guys played," Bruins Head Men's Basketball Coach Burton Uwarow said. "Johnson was the #5 team in the last poll before Christmas so to beat a good team like that on their home court was a big win for us."
The Bruins came into the game on the heels of back to back losses earlier in the week to Webber International and Keiser University. The team looked to wrap up their Florida road trip with a win as they took on the Suns who came into the game having snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over Florida Gateway College. Region play was set to begin for the Bruins as both teams took the court in the Sun Dome.
From the opening tip, the Suns came out strong as Justin Ryder and Antwan Bradley hit back to back shots to help the team jump out to an 8-3 lead. The Bruins battled back as Eli Cupples hit a three before Hayes Brush and Mark Dickerson scored to help the team cut into the deficit.
Henry Blair gave the Bruins their first lead of the game as he banked home a shot in the paint to give the team a 16-14 lead near the midway point of the first half. The two teams went back and forth trading baskets and the lead before the Suns went on a short run as Daquion Vickers hit a three to give Johnson a 29-24 lead.
With minutes to play in the first half, the Bruins came roaring back thanks to 11 first half points by Henry Blair as the team eventually took a 42-41 lead to close out the first half.
As both teams came out for the second half, the Bruins hoped to extend their lead but the Suns had other plans as back to back shots sparked a run to give Johnson the upper hand. The Bruins continued to keep pace as Stephan Hugley and Henry Blair scored inside while Eli Cupples buried another three to keep the score close.
At the midway point of the second half, the Bruins and Suns were tied at 63-63 with neither letting the other team build a sizable lead. The Bruins played smart offensively as they worked through their offensive progressions which opened up high-percentage looks.
Defensively, the Bruins stood strong as they forced the Suns into turnovers. With just over six minutes to play, Hayes Brush made a steal and threw down a dunk to give the Bruins a 74-68 lead. Brush then recorded a block on defense to give the Bruins another possession.
The Suns refused to back down and tried to mount one last rally with just minutes to go as Antwan Bradley scored and was fouled to cut the deficit to 80-79. Stephan Hugley and Mark Dickerson each hit key free throws down the stretch as the Bruins were able to hang on for an 82-80 region win.
"Our guys were tired as this was their third game this week but we got some big plays at key times in the win," Coach Uwarow said. "I was really proud of our defensive effort today and we're already looking forward to our next region game coming up on Monday."
Four players scored in double figures for the Bruins with Henry Blair leading the way with 27 points while shooting 59% from the floor. Eli Cupples had 17 points in the game to go along with 5 assists while Mark Dickerson finished with 13 points and Stephan Hugley 10 points in the win.
Next up, the Bruins will be back on the road on Monday night as they face another South region foe in Trinity Baptist College. Tip-off for the game is set for 8 p.m. in Jacksonville, Florida.
