The Bob Jones University women's basketball team battled back from a double-digit deficit but couldn't complete the comeback on Saturday afternoon, falling 53-45 to Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Bruins came out strong, opening the game on a 7-1 run and holding the Avenging Angels to just two made field goals in the first quarter. Faith McClary knocked down a pair of threes, and Keely Price recorded eight early points as BJU took a 14-9 lead after ten minutes of play.

Momentum shifted in the second quarter and Meredith took the lead just four minutes in. The Avenging Angels outscored the Bruins 16-3 in the second quarter, and at halftime, Bob Jones trailed 25-17.

After the break, clutch three-pointers from Imani Pouncey and McClary sparked a 13-7 run, and back-to-back free throws from Jenna Brooks tied the game at 32 with under a minute remaining. Meredith answered with a late basket to reclaim the narrow 34-32 lead heading into the fourth.

In the final quarter, Meredith stretched their lead into double digits once again. Though BJU got timely threes from Caitlyn Dickerson and continued attacking, the Bruins couldn't overcome the deficit, and at the final buzzer found themselves down 53-45.

Keely Price led the Bruins with 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals while McClary added 10 points. 

Following the game Head Coach Mike LeViere commented, "the ladies worked extremely hard and were effective on defense, causing 38 turnovers. That effort should result in winning the game. But then we didn't reward ourselves by taking care of the ball on offense, and we ended up turning it over ourselves or making a poor decision and taking a good shot instead of a great one."

He continued saying, "I feel like our mental toughness wasn't there today. Too many times we let the last play affect the next one which resulted in us playing tentatively and missing shots we normally make."

The loss puts the Bruins at 2-3 on the season. Up next, the Bruins will host North Greenville University for an exhibition match on Tuesday evening before a four game stretch of road games.