A critical stretch with four minutes to play left No. 20 Indiana University Southeast with a slim advantage, and the Brescia men’s basketball team couldn’t quite mount a comeback in a 91-86 loss at home Thursday.
In the first game of the River States Conference doubleheader, a 20-point halftime lead disappeared in the span of a single quarter for the Brescia women, and it turned into a 75-64 loss.
MEN
The Bearcats (5-7, 2-1) jumped in front early, thanks in large part to three consecutive 3-pointers by Tristen Murray, but the Grenadiers slowly climbed back and took a lead midway through the first half.
Strong play by Dillon Geralds at both ends kept Brescia close, as they faced a halftime deficit of 41-38. Trailing by nine in the second, a 12-1 run for the Bearcats was capped off by a shot from Darion Morrow to give the team a 61-59 lead.
The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes, but four 3-pointers by IU Southeast around the four-minute mark tipped the game in their favor for good.
BU head coach Brian Skortz said his team needs to make shots in that situation to get to the next level.
“I think the biggest thing I learned today is for where we are trying to get to, we’ve got to knock down shots,” he said. “Good teams knock down crucial shots. I thought we had a couple really good looks around the four-minute mark, and if we hit those, the momentum really swings. I thought we left some points on the floor today.”
Skortz was especially proud of the effort in the second half, but said some mistakes in the first half proved costly, namely turnovers and lack of defensive rebounds.
“I thought a couple times they got second or third opportunities and they converted with points,” he said. “That just takes the air right out of the ball for us.”
The Bearcats now turn attention to a Saturday road game against Midway University, who has not lost at home this year. Brescia could stay tied for the division lead with a win, but Skortz said they have to clean up their game to earn a victory.
“I think there were times when we handled the ball too much, either with the dribble or we didn’t reverse it quick enough and catch it in rhythm,” he said. “We just have to do a better job in execution.We just have to build on the positives.”
Stat leaders: Tristen Murray (22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists), Dillon Geralds (18 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists), Damontae Barnhill (17 points, 6 assists), Darion Morrow (13 points, 4 assists), Kayode Daboiku (12 points, 12 assists)
WOMEN
The Lady Bearcats (2-9, 1-2) were clicking in the first half, consistently stretching their lead against conference-leading IU Southeast. Jade Robinson and Catherine Dunn each each hit a pair of 3-pointers, and the team went 6-of-7 from beyond the arc.
A 48-28 lead at the half was wiped out in the third quarter, as the Grenadiers outscored Brescia 22-3, with the lone score coming from a triple by Aaliyah Rogers. The fourth quarter continued in favor of IU Southeast, as the Lady Bearcats struggled to match the intensity they showed in the first half.
Head coach Mike Gray said he was frustrated with the effort after halftime, but knows the young team has room to grow.
“I went in there (at halftime) and explained to them that first halves never win ball games,” he said. “Do what you did in the first half and repeat it in the second half. It’s a young basketball team, and they chose not to step up to the challenge. I’m very disappointed with that effort, but I know it’s a thing we can work on.”
Gray said the first half had plenty of positives to look at, but the biggest takeaway was trying to get the team to understand how to finish big ball games.
“In the first half, they were patient on offense and doing the easy stuff,” he said. “They were boxing out, rebounding the basketball, limiting them to one shot. They were putting the pressure on (IU Southeast) to start making turnovers. They were being accountable for their own man. Then in the second half, it’s like it all went out the door. I’m still proud of them about the first half.”
The Lady Bearcats now prepare for a trip to Midway University on Saturday. Gray said the team will regroup and work on playing a full 40 minutes in hopes of getting back in the win column.
Stat leaders: Aaliyah (14 points), Cassidy Moss (12 points, 11 rebounds), Catherine Dunn (11 points, 4 assists), Jayde Robinson (10 points)
