Coming off a two game win streak, including handing the second place team in the league a loss Wednesday evening, head coach Brandon Hodges and his Bruin boys varsity basketball team were looking to do something that has eluded them all season so far, string together three consecutive wins hosting the Glide Wildcats Friday evening.
Looking to establish an early lead, the Bruins came out running and gunning, establishing an early 4 point lead at the midway point of the first that they would never relinquish, getting four players in the scoring column in the first led by senior point guard Josh Serna, #32, with seven points in the first including a 3 pointer as the Bruins struck for 20 in the first. Glide tried to stay with the Bruins, but could only manage 13 points in the period as the Bruins took a 20-13 lead into the second period.
In the second period the Bruins stiffened their defense, shutting down the Glide offense and allowing only two shooters on the board in the second. Glide shooters found the net for 10 points in the period off of two baskets and two 3 pointers, but the Bruin boys would not let up, putting up another 17 points although only three Bruin shooters would score in the period. Serna again hit for 8 more points driving into the lane, while senior Kallen Christensen, #1, and junior Austin Dietrich, #33, cleaned up the boards for 4 points each, sitting on a 37-23 lead at the half.
To start the third, the Bruin offense slowed, only getting 11 points in the period from five Bruin shooters. Glide, who outscored the Bruins in the period, found the basket for 12 points from three scorers including two 3 pointers that got the Wildcats within 10 during the third period. But the Bruins would still stretch the lead to 13 points and take a 48-35 lead into the final period of play.
After Glide closed to within 10 in the third, the Bruins applied a suffocating full court press that caught the Wildcats off guard, forcing turnovers in their own end, allowing easy baskets for the Bruins as the Bruins put 16 more points on the board. The press paid off, silencing the Glide shooters and allowing only 10 Wildcat points in the final period, to take the 64-46 win, setting up a showdown in Grants Pass next Wednesday.
The now 5-5 Bruins will travel next Wednesday to Grants Pass, to challenge the 6-3 Knights who defeated the Bruins in Brookings earlier in the year by 5 points, with tip-off at 7:30pm.
