Bryan College Triangle

Questionable buzzer-beater takes the game to overtime

Freshman point guard Dion Fair had 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in Wednesday night's game / Triangle photo by Jessica Slade

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Editor

Wednesday night was one to remember at Summers Gymnasium. In a highly entertaining, breakneck match, the men’s basketball team (10-13, 5-4 in AAC) lost to conference rival Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens), 107-104.

With a sure victory in sight for the Lions, the referees counted a Wesleyan three-pointer that was released just after the buzzer sounded to end regulation (Click here to view video or look below). The Bulldogs went on to win the game in overtime.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but you’ve got to swallow it,” said Bryan Head Coach Don Rekoske after the game. “We have to accept it and move on.” Read full story »

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer

The 2011-2012 has been a tough ride for the Bryan College men’s basketball team (3-7, 0-1 in AAC) so far, and it didn’t get any easier Wednesday night. The Lions battled against conference rival Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens) and lost a match that was closer than the score suggests with 57-69.

“We put ourselves in the position to win but didn’t execute well in the last five minutes,” said Coach Don Rekoske after the game, explaining the loss in the first conference game of the season.

While no team was able to pull clear in the first half, Bryan was trailing for the most part. Whenever the Lions came close to a lead, they lacked the final vigor and determination to seize control over the game. Read full story »

Dion Fair keeps possession of the ball during Bryan’s cardiac match against Oakwood University. The Lions won the game 85-84 / Photo by Maddie Doucet

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Reporter

The Bryan College men’s basketball team (2-4) recovered from a two-game losing streak Tuesday night, beating Oakwood University (Huntsville, Ala.) 85-84 in a back-to-back match.

The Lions faced the Oakwood Ambassadors earlier this season in an exhibition match and lost by a score of 61-50. In the second meeting between both teams the Lions had the edge and took home a deserved victory, making up some phases of weakness with a collective team effort.

“I think everybody contributed equally for our win tonight,” said freshman point guard Dion Fair, who lead the Lions with 23 points and seven assists. “[Tonight we showed] what a team is.” Read full story »

Freshman point guard Dion Fair speeds down the court on Tuesday night's game against Cumberland / Triangle photo by Cat Rogers

Shane Vicry
Triangle Reporter

Bryan played host to Cumberland University on Tuesday night, looking to string together a pair of wins for the first time in this young season. Despite a good start behind the support of their home crowd, a shorthanded Bryan squad lacked the offensive firepower to match the visiting Bulldogs down the stretch, losing 67-71.

The Lions came into the game undermanned, playing without the services of Lavonte Henderson. Henderson led the lions with 24 points their last time out, and is recovering from a sprained ankle. Anthony Moore, a player the Lions were likely counting on to pick up much of the slack offensively with the loss of Henderson, suffered an undisclosed injury himself in the first half and would not return to action after halftime. Read full story »

Junior shooting guard Rober "Philly" Riley (# 10) attempts to knock the ball from a Tennessee Temple player's grasp / Triangle photo by Cat Rogers

Shane Vicry
Triangle Reporter

The Bryan College men’s basketball team opened up its season Monday night, playing host to the Crusaders of Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga). The Lions trailed throughout, and lost by a final score of 66-56.

Freshman point guard Dion Fair and junior shooting guard Rob “Philly” Riley led the Lions with 13 points apiece.

Despite the loss, the team is taking away several positives from the game, and the coaches are very optimistic about the upcoming season.

The Lions will have a much different look this season as Bryan saw 11 players depart from last year’s squad that finished the regular season as No. 2 seed of the AAC, including eight graduating seniors. As a result, outside expectations are tempered, with the Lions picked to finished seventh out of nine teams in the AAC.

Assistant Coach Samuel Gilbertson says he feels the lowered expectations really play to the team’s advantage. Read full story »