The Azalea Bruin boys basketball team hosted their final homegame of the season Thursday evening taking on Coquille, with one more game Monday against Marshfield before starting the JayCee’s Tournament next Friday.
A fundamentally strong Coquille team struggled early with the Bruins, keeping it close early before the Azalea Bruin offense established a five point lead after the first period.
Trailing 11-6 to start the second period, Coquille looked to press the Bruins boys to force turnovers and create shooting opportunities, but their offense would continue stay cold missing opportunities under the basket. The Bruin boys would capitalize, putting up 12 points to take a 23-12 lead midway through the period before extending their lead to thirteen to end the first half of play.
Coquille, now trailing 31-18 to start the second half, made adjustments during the break, but failed to make any headway on the scoreboard as the Bruin boys maintained their thirteen point lead midway through the third period. But the Bruins would run into their own shooting slump, missing shots under the basket allowing Coquille within nine points to close the third period.
Holding on to a 39-30 lead to start the final period, the Azalea Bruin offense struggled to shake the shooting slump and Coquille took advantage and closed the gap to 5 midway through the final period and continued to close the gap to one point 41-40, with just under three minutes to play before taking their first lead 41-43 with under a minute to play. The Bruins would hit a three late, but Coquille would hold on to take the 45-48 win in the final minutes.
Next up for Azalea Bruin basketball Monday afternoon as they travel to Marshfield to close out regular season play before starting the JayCee’s Tournament next Friday.
