Just two games away from regular season play, the Bruin boys hosted the 8-4 Illinois Valley Cougars in a Monday evening match-up featuring two well matched teams.
Two teams sharing 8-4 preseason records, came out to establish control from the tip-off, challenging passing lanes and shots early to disrupt each others scoring opportunities.
The was pace was frantic from the start with the Cougars taking an early lead, but the Bruins fought back to stay within a point midway through the first period. What Illinois Valley could not stop in the first period, was Bruin freshman guard, #23, Tucker Delay, who hit five 3 pointers in the first period for 15 of the Bruins 22 points in the first period.
With the Bruins leading 22- 13 to start the second period, both teams exchanged shots with the Bruin boys adding 8 points and the Cougars matching with 8 of their own making the score 30-21 midway through the period. The Cougars hit for 8 more to close out the second period while holding the Bruins to just 6 points to close out the fourth as the Bruins took a 36-29 six point lead into the half time break.
Illinois Valley halftime adjustments included patiently shipping away at the Bruins lead, hitting for 7 points to start the third period while limiting the Bruin offense to 6 points. With 2:00 minutes left in the third, the Cougars managed to tie the Bruins at 42-42 before the Cougars would out score the Bruins, adding 6 more third period points to lead 46-48 going into the fourth period.
But the Bruins would rally back in the fourth, scoring 15 points to start the fourth period while holding the Cougars to just 7 points midway through the fourth period. The Bruins defense allowed 17 Cougar points late in the final, but 14 late fourth period points would hold the Cougars off on their way to a 75-65 Bruin win.
The Bruins will be on the road Wednesday, traveling to Coquille to take on the Red Devils with tip-off set for 7:00pm in the final preseason contest.
