After falling in their first game of the NCCAA DII National Tournament, the Bob Jones University men's basketball team responded well finishing ahead of #6 Grace Christian University with a final score of 82-68. With today's win, the Bruins will take on #8 Kansas Christian College from Minneapolis, Minnesota for one final game of the 2023-24 season.
Coming into today's game, Head Coach Burton Uwarow met with his team and shared the team's acronym of G.R.A.C.E. which stands for gratitude, respect, accountability, compassion, and enthusiasm saying that those are the things his team needed to do whether they won or lost.
"My pre-game message wasn't about X's and O's," said Coach Uwarow. "It was about honoring the commitment we made in October for the kind of year we wanted to have. Those commitments are easy to have when you're winning a lot, but they're not as easy when you're losing, so that's when they really mean something. Today we were able to get back."
Kenney Garrick opened the scoring in today's consolation bracket contest with a three-pointer before a layup by Shad Vander Hart put the Bruins ahead 5-0. The Grace Christian University Tigers responded going on a 10 point run to take the lead. Halfway through the first 20 minutes of play, Dillon Harris sank a three-point shot to even the score between the Bruins and Tigers.
Through the remainder of the first half, the two teams exchanged the lead, but the Bruins didn't back down. With some intense offensive and defensive plays, the Bruins headed into the locker room leading the Tigers 36-29 at halftime.
The second half opened strong and just two minutes in, Hayes Brush put one down from outside the arc to give the Bruins their first 10 point lead of the game.
Bob Jones continued to shoot well seeing 60% from the field and going 13 for 15 from the free point line to maintain their double digit advantage over the Tigers. As the final buzzer sounded, it was the Bruins on top 82-68.
Three Bruins finished in double figures with Kenney Garrick leading the way with 17 points followed closely by Elijah Cupples with 16 and Trevor Brunson with 12. Hayes Brush nearly had a double double as he recorded 11 rebounds and nine points.
After the game, Coach Uwarow spoke of the things he saw done well in Friday's game. "We forced 21 turnovers and only committed 13. We had a little bit of a rough first half, but to only commit three turnovers in the second half was a great thing for us. We shot 23 free throws and made 20 of those while only allowing Grace to shoot eight with them only making three. I really think that was the difference in the game. We were also nearly 45% from the three-point line."
Tomorrow, the Bruins will look to end their season on a high note as they face #8 Kansas Christian College at 3 p.m. Saturday's game will mark the first ever meeting between the two NCCAA programs.
