The Bruins opened the season strong on Thursday night as the team defeated Brevard College 86-81 in Brevard, North Carolina. The team relied on the one-two punch of Stephan Hugley and Henry Blair as the two combined for 51 points with Hugley leading the way with a double-double 27 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
"This was a great way for us to start the season," Bruins Head Basketball Coach Burton Uwarow said. "It's always good win a game on the road and we were fortunate to have four guys in double figures and played really well tonight."
The Bruins came into the season opener on the heels of playing in an exhibition game against Wofford College on Monday. It was also the season opener for the Tornados as BJU and Brevard took the court for the sixth matchup between these two programs.
From the opening tip, the Tornados jumped out to an early 8-3 lead behind back to back three point shots as the game was off and running. The Bruins battled back thanks to the scoring touch of Stephan Hugley as they regained the lead.
Near the midway point of the first half, the Bruins went on an 8-0 run as Blair and Hugley hit back to back jumpers to extend the lead 28-18. The Tornados began to chip away at the lead while the Bruin shooting cooled off as Brevard battled all the way back to take a 41-40 lead at halftime.
As the second half began, the Tornados went on an 8-0 run to open the half as they pushed their lead to 49-40 over the Bruins. Again it was Hugley and Blair battling the team back as the Bruins responded with a run of their own to cut into the lead.
With just over nine minutes to play, the two teams were tied 65-65. Hugley then came up with a big basket in the paint before Henry Blair hit a three as the Bruins jumped out to a lead. The Tornados refused to back down as they battled back to tie the score 81-81.
From there, the Bruins got key baskets down the stretch from Hugley and Blair as the team went on to win 86-81 to begin the season with a win.
The Bruins shot 57% from the field as a team while also shooting nearly 80% from the free throw line. Hugley's double-double led the way for the Bruins while Henry Blair finished with 24 points. Newcomer Brian Sims finished with a solid effort of 16 points and 6 rebounds while Trevor Brunson finished with 11 points in the win.
Next up, the Bruins will be on the road next weekend as the team faces Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, Mississippi, on November 18.
