In the final home game of the 2023-24 season, the Bob Jones University men's basketball team soared to a 90-71 victory over Warren Wilson College. With Monday night's win, the Bruins have improved to 15-4 on the season, wrapping up their home campaign undefeated through 13 games.
"I am incredibly blessed to coach this team," said Head Coach Burton Uwarow. "We never set out to go undefeated at home and to have this incredible season. We set out to be consistent every day and give God the glory."
The Bruins entered the week after splitting last week's games on the road. After falling in a tight 64-58 contest to Southeastern Baptist College in Mississippi on Thursday, the Bruins rallied and took care of business in a 63-58 victory over NCCAA South Region rival Pensacola Christian College on Saturday in Pensacola, Florida. Warren Wilson (3-18) traveled to the Upstate looking to break out of an eight game losing slide.
Elijah Cupples wasted no time and right after tip-off of today's contest worked his way to the basket to score the first points of the game. With his jumper, Cupples etched his name in the history books becoming just the eighth player in men's basketball history to hit 1,000 career points.
The Bruins went on to score 10 straight points, keeping the Owls off the board for the first three minutes. With 8:38 left on the clock in the first half, Shad Vander Hart stole the ball and raced to the basket where his dunk got the crowd on their feet and saw the Bruins build a 10 point lead.
Warren Wilson worked to make it a two possession game before Elijah Cupples was fouled on his shot to get the and one opportunity. He made his free throw to put the Bruins back ahead by seven points.
At the half, the Bruins led the Owls 38-32.
After the break, the two programs exchanged buckets early. With just over 15 minutes left in the game, the Owls knocked down back to back three pointers to cut their deficit down to four points.
Despite their best efforts, the Owls couldn't mount full comeback as the Bruins tallied nine consecutive points to build back their lead. BJU continued to play well and as the buzzer sounded, the Bruins saw themselves in the win column with the 90-71 victory.
Each player was able to hit the court tonight with Hayes Brush and Kenney Garrick leading the way each with 19 points. Shad Vander Hart finished the contest with 16 points and nine rebounds with Elijah Cupples also recording double figures as he closed out the night 12 points.
The Bruins shot 50% from the field and were 19-21 from the free throw line in tonight's win.
Following the game, Coach Uwarow said, "I am so happy for Eli to hit this 1,000 point scoring mark in his last home game. Shad gave us another incredible performance tonight and has really emerged this season as one of the most dangerous players in our region."
Assistant Coach Tony Miller also commented saying, "being undefeated at home wasn't the biggest goal for us, but it is a big accomplishment especially for this group, and I'm really proud of them. Tonight we were led by our seniors. It was more than just scoring, it was rebounding as well. We challenged them over the last couple games to make sure we dominate the boards, and we did that tonight. I'm really proud of their effort."
Up next, the Bruins wrap up the regular season on the road with a NCCAA South Region game against Toccoa Falls College on Saturday.
