The Bob Jones University women's basketball team fell in the final minutes of today's NCCAA DII South Region championship game against Pensacola Christian College to finish as runners up in the region. 

After upsetting the #2 Trinity College of Jacksonville in Friday's semifinal match, the #3 Bruins entered Saturday's title game set to take on the top-seeded Pensacola Christian College Eagles. 

As today's game got underway in Toccoa Falls, Georgia, the Bruins could not have scripted a better start. Keely Price ignited the offense early with back-to-back layups, and Faith Hayward followed with a pair of free throws to give BJU a quick 6-0 advantage. Midway through the first quarter, Jenna Brooks sank a three-pointer, and moments later Anna Layne Wylder knocked down a bucket from outside the arc to push the lead to 14-2. The Bruins carried a commanding 16-4 lead into the second.

The momentum carried into the second quarter when Brooks and Wylder each connected from beyond the arc to stretch the lead to 22-6. This would be the largest advantage of the afternoon for the Bruins at 16 points. Bob Jones maintained control and went into the break up 27-16 after holding the Eagles scoreless from three-point line in the first half.

After the break, Faith Hayward responded to PCC's opening bucket with nine straight points to pull ahead to a 15 point lead. Throughout the rest of the third quarter, the Eagles worked to cut at the deficit, but after 30 minutes of play, the Bruins still led 49-38.

Pensacola opened the fourth quarter on a 12-3 run. With 5:10 remaining, the Eagles tied the game at 55-55 which marked the first time the score was even since tip-off. After trading empty possessions, Pensacola saw its first lead of the afternoon at 57-55 with just over three minutes left. The Eagles secured the comeback with four made free throws in the final minute.

At the buzzer, it was Pensacola Christian College who claimed the championship title with the 63-57 win over the Bruins. 

"It was a great effort by our team in this tournament," said Assistant Coach Sha'Ron Brunson. "I am proud of them and the fight they showed."

Though the outcome wasn't what they hoped for, the Bruins showed resilience and poise against a 24-4 PCC team, as they led for 35 minutes in a title game that ultimately slipped away in the closing moments.