In their first game of the NCCAA DII National Tournament, the Bob Jones University men's basketball team fell to Campbellsville University Harrodsburg in a 84-70 decision. With today's loss, the Bruins will no longer have the chance at the national title as they battle on Friday against #6 Grace Christian University.
"Our consistency has led us to the best season in Bruins history," said Head Coach Burton Uwarow. "The recipe we had worked, but that doesn't always mean you win a championship. The team has a chance to learn something from this, and I hope they do."
The Bruins made their way to Minneapolis, Minnesota as the #2 seed after winning the NCCAA South Region Championship. Their first opponent of the national tournament was #7 seeded Campbellsville University Harrodsburg who entered the tournament with a 20-8 season record. Thursday's game marked the fourth meeting between the Bruins and Pioneers with the Pioneers holding the 3-0 series record coming into today's game.
As today's game got underway, Kenney Garrick opened the scoring for the Bruins with a layup before Camden Gearhart drained a shot from outside the arc. The Bruins held onto slight lead though the first six minutes of the game before Campbellsville overtook the Bob Jones to take the lead. The Pioneers made it a 14 point game with seven minutes left on the clock. Brandon Wilkins broke the scoring spree as the Bruins worked to close the gap. At halftime, the Pioneers led the Bruins 48-30.
Needing a big second half, the Bruins came out strong with Hayes Brush getting the and one to make the three point play. BJU continued to battle and outscored the Pioneers in the half but they weren't able to overcome Campbellsville and ultimately fell 84-70.
Four Bruins hit double figures tonight with Kenney Garrick leading the way with 18 points followed by Elijah Cupples with 15, Hayes Brush with 11, and Trevor Brunson with 10.
Following the game, Head Coach Burton Uwarow said, "when you get to this time of year, sometimes there's a style of play that hurts you more than anything and sometimes there's some personnel that hurts you, and I think we ran into a little bit of both tonight," said Head Coach Burton Uwarow. "They're a little bit bigger and had a little bit of a rebounding advantage, but we didn't force them to take tough shots, and they forced us to take a lot of tough shots, and I give them credit."
Uwarow also said, "what I've tried to hammer into our team this year, is that men are consistent no matter what's going on in their life and men set the tone. Unfortunately, the way we get better at that is by going through things that test us. The only reason they should have any regrets is if they didn't prepare properly or if we didn't do the things we were supposed to do."
Up next, the Bruins will face off against #6 Grace Christian University at 4 p.m. with the winner of Friday's game advancing to the fifth place game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
