In an NCCAA South region contest in Pensacola, Florida, the Bob Jones University Bruins fell in a tough 59-55 loss to rival Pensacola Christian College. With today's loss, the Bruins drop to 9-12 overall this season and 2-4 in conference play.
"At some point, we have to decide that we are not going to beat ourselves," said Head Coach Mike LeViere. "We play really well at times and when we do, we are as good or better than any team on our schedule. That is the most frustrating aspect of the losses we have incurred; the opponent isn't beating us, we are defeating ourselves. Our opponents are happy to take the W we give them."
Coach LeViere continued by saying, "we have to be more disciplined. The circumstances shouldn't affect the way we execute and they obviously have. We can't continue to let that be our story."
The Bruins and Eagles met one week ago with a similar storyline to tonight's contest. In their game on January 28 at the Davis Field House in Greenville, South Carolina, the Bruins were able to pull ahead after an early lead from the Eagles. But then in the final minutes of the game, Pensacola battled back to take the late lead and defeat the Bruins 63-60. Today's game marked the 26th meeting between the Bruins and Eagles.
From the Arlin R. Horton Sports Center in Pensacola, Florida, the Bruins had a tough start offensively. Shea Dickinson went to the free throw line early and where she went one for one. In the final minute of the first quarter, Ashley Phelan came in off the bench to end the scoring drought for the Bruins and give them their first field goal of the game. It was a low scoring quarter as the Eagles led 9-3 after the first 10 minutes of play.
Phelan opened the scoring in the second quarter to cut down at the Eagle's lead. The Bruins continued on a 6-0 run as the Bruins began to find their rhythm. A big three pointer from Ashley Phelan knotted the game at 14 points apiece. Bria Dickinson followed with a three of her own to see the Bruins with their first lead of the game with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter. The Bruins continued their strong offense scoring 30 points in 10 minutes to lead 33-24 at the break.
After the halftime break, both teams continued to battle. The Eagles narrowly out-shot the Bruins 14-13 in the third quarter, but BJU held on to an eight point lead after 30 minute of play.
Pensacola went on a 12 point run to open the final frame and battled back to tie and then take the two point lead with six minutes remaining. Ashley Phelan drove to the basket and made her shot to even the score before PCC responded. A crucial three pointer from Tamrah Konieczka saw the Bruins back within one point as time was running down on the scoreboard. In the final seconds of the game, the Eagles stole the ball in a strong defensive effort and put themselves up by four points. At the buzzer the Bruins fell 59-55 to the Eagles.
Following the game, Coach LeViere said he was happy with the performances overall from freshmen Ashley Phelan and Katrina Tabora as well as Bethany Daulton.
Three Bruins finished in double digits with Tamrah Konieczka leading with 12 points and Ashley Phelan and Katrina Tabora close behind with 11 on the night.
Up next, the Bruins will look to break out of their four game losing slide as they travel to Augusta, Georgia for a Monday night matchup against Paine College on February 6.
