Wednesday February 20, 2019: Men's Basketball
Baton Rouge, LA
It might have been sophomore night here at BRCC, but it was no cupcake game for the Bears. The Baton Rouge Bears and the LSUE Bengals battled it out till the end, where the Bears would come out on top by the final score of 68 to 63.
Baton Rouge jumped out of the gates quickly, taking an early twelve point lead with eight minutes to go. The Bears were aggressive on defense limiting the Bengals chances for second chance points. LSUE would fight back and find some rhythm late, in the first half, to close the gap to nine points at the half, 34 to 25. At the half, BRCC coaching staff expressed the urgency to come out with the same intensity the first five minutes of the second half and not let the Bengals hang around. Well, the Bears came out of the half a bit lack luster and allowed LSUE to get back into the ball game. LSUE would go on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 34 with seventeen minutes to play. The game would be tied one more time in the second half. Baton Rouge settled back down and found some consistency on offense and went back to the defensive pressure that had limited the Bengals. The Bears opened up a eight point advantage with ten minutes to play at 50 to 42. Similar to prior meetings with the Bengals, they would not quit. With five minutes to play the Bengals would pull within three at 52-49. Baton Rouge would then push their lead back up to eight with a minute left to play. LSUE would pull within two points at 65 to 63 with ten second left to play, when the Bears fouled a LSUE player on a three point bucket. Baton Rouge would ice the game at the free throw line when Terry Johnson would sink two free throws to give the Bears the 68 to 63 LCCAC conference victory.
Kae Williams led the LSUE Bengals with 14 points. The Bears were led by Nigel Jones with 14 points.
With the victory the Bears improve to 6-15 and 4-3 in conference play, while the Bengals fall to 12-15 and 2-5 in conference play.
Before the game the Bears recognized Sophomores Eric Matthews and Terrance Dodson for their hard work and dedication to the Bears Basketball program.
Bears Highlights:
Nigel Jones led all Bears with 14 points
Caleb Hebert added 12 points
Terry Johnson and Eric Matthews each scored 10 points.
The Bears will be back in action this Saturday February 23 as they travel to take on the Delgado Dolphins at 4 pm in the Alario Center.
For more information about the Bears Basketball team follow us on twitter at (@BRCCMensBBall) and Facebook and Instagram at (BRCCAthletics)