The Bob Jones University men's basketball team opened their 2024-25 season with an exhibition at Columbia College Saturday afternoon where they fell 55-74.

Today marked just the second game in program history for the Koalas and the first-ever meeting between the BJU and Columbia College men's basketball teams. 

As today's game got underway, the Koalas pulled ahead to an early 8-0 lead before Shad Vander Hart's layup put the Bruins on the board four minutes in. It was Vander Hart again with 11 minutes remaining in the first half to add to the Bruins tally. 

With over seven minutes remaining, freshman Justin Skelton opened his Bruins campaign making both of his free throws. The Bruins continued to work at cutting down their deficit, but after 20 minutes of play, Bob Jones went to the locker room trailing 16-34. 

Devin Pope opened the scoring to begin the second half. A steal by Brandon Wilkins made way for Vander Hart to add a layup. Bob Jones hustled to trim at Columbia's advantage. With 14 minutes left on the clock, the Bruins pulled within nine points. 

The Bruins battled until the very end with Trevor Pittman hitting a three-pointer in the final second, but at the final whistle, it was Columbia College on top 74-55.

Bob Jones shot 42% from the field and were 61% from the free throw line. Shad Vander Hart led the Bruins with 12 points followed by Trevor Brunson with eight. 

"I was really proud of our defense today," said Head Coach Burton Uwarow. "We did a great job against a very tall, athletic team."

Uwarow continued saying, "offensively, we need to make more shots and limit our turnovers. Twenty-two turnovers is about 11 too many."

Up next, the Bruins are at the Davis Field House for their home opener on November 1 as they welcome Montreat College to the Upstate.