Coming off a 5 game win streak stretching back into preseason play, the 1-0 Bruin boys basketball team hosted a powerful 1-0 St. Mary’s Crusader team, coming off a nine game win streak of their own.
The game started out with a frenetic pace as both teams overplayed situations looking for turnovers and fast break opportunities to establish control and an early lead.
The Bruin boys took an early 6-4 lead as pure hustle led to aggressive play in the paint as both teams looked to control the boards and the paint.and an early 6-4 lead turned into a 13-9 Bruin lead after the first period.
The pace and combative play began to break for the Crusaders who closed the gap early in the second period as the Bruins were held to just 1 point early in the second period as St. Mary’s took their first 14-16 lead of the game before going on to an eighteen point second period to take a 21-29 Crusader lead at the half.
The Bruin boys struggled to hit baskets throughout the game, but as the game wore on the Crusaders became more physical, putting more pressure on Brookings shooters as the two teams exchanged baskets early in the third. But a nine point third would not be enough for the Bruins as a 12 point St. Mary’s third extended their lead to 30-41 to finish the third.
Trailing by double digits to start the fourth, the Bruins fought to keep pace to stay in the game late, but the shots just weren’t falling for the Bruins and the Crusaders began to run the clock, holding on to the ball until there was less than 10 seconds on the shot clock, and then calmly hitting their shots. With the shots not falling for the Bruins late, the game became very physical and St. Mary’s put together a 12 point fourth period to take home the 37-53 win.
The Bruin boys will meet up with the now 2-1 Lakeview Honkers in Medford next Friday at St. Mary’s with tip-off scheduled for 7:00pm.
