Friday nights varsity match-up between the 2-1 South Umpqua Lancers and the 2-1 Bruins was more than both teams bargained for, as both teams shared momentum swings as the contest progressed.
The Bruins came out and defensively set the pace early applying early pressure on the Lancer ball handlers, and high energy in their defensive end of the court. The Lancers had no luck in the paint as senior center Brad Russell #55 controlled the boards and forced the Lancers to shoot from outside. Four Bruins got on the scoreboard in the first period, led by Russell with 4 points, and Ethan Orman #32, and Josh Serna #34, both hit baskets and their free throws as the Bruins put up 12 points in the period.
The Bruin defense early held the Lancers to just 7 points, allowing only two 3 pointers in the period as the Lancers struggled to get to the basket, and started out cold from the outside. With the pace set, the game became physical, with Lancers fouling to slow the Bruin attack.
As the second period unfolded, both teams were determined to get to the basket and sent shooters to the line. The Bruin guards fearlessly drove into the teeth of the Lancer defense, getting fouled hard and to the line 7 times in the period. But the Bruins defense returned the favor, refusing to allow the Lancers to establish any offense under the basket, sending the Lancers to the line 7 times as well.
Senior guard Jake Beaman #1, got to the line 3 times in the period as six Bruins scored in the period, led by Jaron Fronckowiak #4 and Josh Serna #34, who each hit for 5 points in the period. The Lancers were able to put up 15 points in the frenetic pace, but the Bruins put up 19, and went into the locker room at the half with a 35-22 lead.
The Lancer adjustment at the break was to turn the game into fouls, allowing no unchallenged shots in an attempt to make the Bruins earn their points at the free throw line. With a 13 point lead, Jake Beaman attacked the basket, getting to the line and putting up 3 points in the period. But Brad Russell was the story, as the Lancers decided to force any other Bruin to beat them, fouling Russell anytime he had the ball, sending him to the line six times in the period.
Russell hit 3 of 6 from the line for 7 points, but the Lancer defense was successful in holding the Bruins to just 10 points. The Lancers outscored the Bruins in the third period, getting four Lancers on the board, forcing play just outside of the key, and inside the 3 point line for 13 points from mid range jumpers.
Leading by 6 points going into the final period of play, the emboldened Lancers turned up the physical play, fouling Bruins who handled the ball. Again the Bruins were sent to the line to earn their points in the fourth, getting to the free throw line 12 times and going 8 for 12. Russell was sent to the line 6 times himself in the period, going 4 of 6, but the pace and physical play gave the Lancers extra opportunities and closed the gap late.
The Lancers and Bruins traded technical fouls late, as the intensity matched the moment, hitting a late 3 pointer to take their first lead of the game, 56-57 with less than a minute left to play. The Bruins worked the ball over the time line, and sophomore guard Wyatt Harms #5 was fouled, sending him to the free throw line for two shots. Harms missed the first, only to sink the second to tie the game at 57 with just 16 seconds left to play.
The Lancers advanced the ball, setting up an outside shot that the Lancers would miss, rebounded by the Bruins who would call a time-out to set up a final play with just 5 seconds on the clock. Sophomore guard Ethan Orman inbounded the ball to Josh Serna who advanced to half court, getting the ball to Russell, who turned and fired from the 3 point line, sinking the shot as time expired, beating the buzzer for the 60-57 win.
The now 3-1 Bruins are scheduled to move on Wednesday evening, February 2nd, on the road in Medford to take on the St. Mary’s Crusaders, at 7:00pm.
