The Bob Jones University women's basketball team wrapped up the 2024-25 regular season with a 77-75 loss in their exhibition to Johnson & Wales University Saturday afternoon.
As today's game got underway, the Bruins and Wildcats exchanged buckets through the opening minutes. JWU then went on a 13 point run. But a long shot by Keely Price with just under 90 seconds remaining in the first quarter broke the scoring run to add three more for the Bruins. At the end of the first quarter, the Bruins trailed the Wildcats 28-12.
Faith McClary and Jenna Brooks put down three-point buckets to open the scoring in the second quarter and pull the Bruins within 10 points. Bob Jones continued working to close the deficit throughout the second quarter. They outscored the Wildcats 23-16 in the second frame to head into halftime down 44-35.
Price and Brooks opened the second half with layups under the basket. The Bruins continued to put in the work in the third quarter. With just under two minutes in the quarter, Faith Hayward sank a three-pointer to put the Bruins on top 58-57 to see their first lead since early in the first quarter. The lead held, and heading into the final quarter, the Bruins led JWU 62-61.
Diamynd Buckson opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a shot under the basket for BJU. With eight minutes left in the game, the Bruins turned it over leading to a Wildcats bucket as they retook the lead. Both teams continued to exchanged baskets. The Bruins pulled ahead to a four point advantage with just over four minutes left in the game off of a three-point basket by McClary. After the Wildcats tied it up again, Brooks sank a deep three to regain the lead. It stayed close until the end, but at the final buzzer it was the Wildcats on top 77-75.
Three Bruins finished the game in double figures led by Jenna Brooks with 19 points followed by Keely Price with 16 and Anna Layne Wylder with 15.
"I am really happy with our effort today and with our execution for the most part," said Head Coach Mike LeVier. "The last play of the game was a good example of focusing on the process and letting the results come as a result of our effort and execution. We ran a play perfectly, had a great look, and took a great shot. That is success."
Coach LeViere continued saying, "we didn't play perfectly today, but we showed a lot of improvement from the beginning of the season until now. Johnson & Wales is a tough team that has beaten a lot of good teams, and we have grown to be able to compete with them, even when we don't have our whole team. I thought we showed some great improvement in our defense. I was most disappointed with our rebounding and not making the right read offensively. Jenna Brooks had a strong game and Anna Layne Wylder continues to improve on being more than a one-dimensional player. This was a good game to prepare for our postseason."
The Bruins are back on the court next week for the NCCAA South Region tournament hosted in the Davis Field House Thursday - Saturday. There will be good competition as the Bruins look to take their fourth region championship title.
