Box Score
A bucket by Shad Vander Hart at the buzzer of today's contest sent the Bruins into the win column for their regular season finale against NCCAA South Region opponent Toccoa Falls College. With today's road victory, the Bruins close out the regular season with an impressive 17-4 record and 10-1 in conference play.
Since 2012, the Bruins and Screaming Eagles have faced off against each other 24 times with the Bruins now holding the 18-6 series record. The two programs met earlier this season on January 16 in the Davis Field House where the Bruins pulled ahead to a 97-79 victory.
Toccoa Falls gained possession early at Saturday's contest and got on the board first before the Bruins responded with a jumper by Eli Cupples. After the Screaming Eagles gained a five point lead, the Bruins were able to knot it up just minutes later. Toccoa Falls continued to put in the shots and pulled ahead to a double digit lead before a timeout was called. After the timeout, Kenney Garrick was fouled and made his way to the charity stripe where he hit both free throws to end the 11 point run by the Screaming Eagles.
A three pointer by Trevor Brunson made it a one point game with eight minutes left in the first half. The Bruins then took their first lead of the game as Shad Vander Hart completed the three point play after being fouled on his shot. After 20 minutes of play, the Bruins and Screaming Eagles went to their locker rooms tied up at 42 points each.
After the halftime break, neither team backed down as the lead flip flopped a few times early into the second half before Bob Jones pulled ahead and increased their advantage. Toccoa Falls battled back and with just over two minutes left on the game clock, the Bruins led 79-76. As the clock ran down to just 20 seconds remaining, Trevor Brunson made his way to the free throw line where he made two shots to keep the Bruins ahead by three points. The Screaming Eagles responded with a clutch three to even the score with 15 seconds remaining.
With the game tied at 83 points apiece, the Bruins gained possession in the final seconds. Cupples took the ball and slowed the pace allowing his team to get in position before sending it to Hayes Brush who passed it to Vander Hart. Vander Hart then spun around a Toccoa Falls defender and made his layup as the ball sank into the basket right at the buzzer putting the Bruins on top in a thrilling 85-83 victory.
"Once again we had four players in double figures led by Kenney Garrick with 21, Shad Vander Hart with 18, Trevor Brunson with 16, and Camden Gearhart finishing with 12 points," said Head Coach Burton Uwarow. "Now we are looking forward to the NCCAA South Region tournament."
With the regular season complete, the Bruins have their sights set on the NCCAA South Region tournament scheduled next Thursday through Saturday in Pensacola, Florida. Final seeding and schedule information will be available next week.
