Bears drop first road test at Lee College

Friday, November 8, 2024: Men's Basketball

Baytown, Texas

In an eagerly anticipated matchup, the Baton Rouge Bears made their way to Baytown, Texas, on Thursday for their inaugural road challenge of the 2024-25 season against the formidable Lee College Navigators. Setting the tone early, the Navigators seized control of the game with an impressive opening performance, ultimately triumphing over the Bears with a score of 77 to 61,  inside the bustling Lee College Wellness Center.

From the tip-off, Lee College established dominance, quickly jumping out to a swift 6-0 advantage with two consecutive three-pointers within the first two minutes. The Bears managed to get on the scoreboard when Cardez Norman converted one of two free-throw attempts, breaking the ice at 17:53 remaining in the first half. As the momentum fluctuated, the Navigators continued to extend their lead, moving ahead 9-1 just five minutes into the game. However, the Bears began to find their footing. Jack King's jumper sparked a spirited 7-1 run, narrowing the gap to 10-8 with 12:46 showing on the clock. The Navigators quickly answered back, surging on a 9-2 scoring spree to push their advantage to 19-10 at the eight-minute mark. Battling back, the Bears reduced the deficit to just three points (19-16) thanks to a three-pointer from freshman guard Dylan Dominique, coupled with a quick jumper and a free throw by freshman forward Chad Jones. Lee College, however, proved relentless, executing a well-orchestrated inside-out game that exploited the Bears' stagnant offense, stretching their lead to a sizeable 14 points, 34-20, with two minutes left in the half. Despite the uphill battle, the Bears rallied, closing the first half with a spirited 9-0 run to pull within five points, ending the half at 34-29.

As the second half unfolded, the Bears struggled to find an offensive rhythm. The Navigators intensified their defensive pressure, forcing several turnovers that translated into easy transition baskets. In the first five minutes after halftime, Lee College outpaced Baton Rouge 16-4, widening their lead to a commanding 50-33. The Bears continued to grapple with the physicality of their opposition, unable to establish any consistent flow on offense. Ultimately, the Navigators outscored the Bears 43 to 32 in the latter half, sealing their decisive 77 to 61 victory.

With this defeat, the Bears' record now stands at 1-1, while the Lee College Navigators improved to 1-2 for the season. In the all-time series, the Navigators extended their dominance over the Bears with a formidable record of 12 wins to just 1 loss.

The Bears' standout performer was Courtney McCarthy, who led the team with 16 points, complemented by 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. On the Navigators' side, Shamiere Green and Josh Smith each delivered impressive performances, both contributing 17 points to their team's success.

 Bears Highlights:

• Courtney McCarthy spearheaded the scoring for the Bears with 16 points, alongside 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. 
• Freshman players Chad Jones and Dylan Dominique each made their mark, contributing 9 points.
• Christian Myers added depth with 6 points and an equal number of rebounds.

Looking ahead, the Bears will return to their home court on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to face off against the William Carey University JV Team at 6 PM in the Bonne Sante Wellness Center, located on the BRCC Midcity Campus.

For updates and insights on Bears Basketball, be sure to follow us on Twitter at (@BRCCMensBBall) and on Facebook and Instagram at (BRCCAthletics).