Bryan College Triangle

Lions beat Union, open tournament at home against Virginia Intermont Tuesday

Senior guard Josh Decker shoots from the perimeter. Decker totaled 9 points and hit 50% from beyond the arch in Bryan's 66-57 win over Union on Saturday / Triangle photo by Cat Rogers

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Editor

It wasn’t the best game of the season Saturday night at Summers Gymnasium and it wasn’t very spectacular, but it was just what the Lions needed.

With a 65-57 win over AAC No. 8 Union College (Barbourville, Ky.) that was at no time in jeopardy, the men’s basketball team (13-17, 8-8 AAC) secured the fourth seed for the AAC tournament that allows hosting the first round. The Lions will face fifth-seeded Virginia Intermont Cobras (15-14, 7-9 AAC) Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Bryan Head Coach Don Rekoske said the Lions were aiming all season long to finish in the top half of the conference. After experiencing a season of ups and downs, he said they are happy to have reached their goal and be able to start the tournament on home ground.

Bryan needed a win and a Montreat loss to claim fourth seed

Going into Saturday’s game, the Lions knew they’d need the support of the Cobras, who faced then fourth-seeded Montreat Cavaliers (12-16, 7-9 AAC). Only with a win over Union and a simultaneous loss by the Cavaliers, Bryan could claim the crucial fourth rank that allows hosting the first round. Virginia Intermont (Bristol, Va.) beat Montreat 97-81 later that evening and passed the Cavaliers in the AAC standings. Read full story »

Sophomore Jenna Ray shoots a free throw in a recent Lady Lions' match-up. / Triangle photo by Anna Katharine Thomas

Justin M. Jones
Triangle Reporter

The Bryan College Lady Lions fell at home to the Bluefield College Lady Rams (Bluefield, Va.) 86-79 in double overtime last Saturday, Feb. 11. This loss leaves the Lion’s overall season record below .500 at 13-14, with a 4-12 AAC record.

“The last time we played Bluefield in January we lost in overtime,” said senior Bethany McArthur. “I knew that it was going to be a really competitive and exciting game. We were very confident and knew what to expect. That’s always exciting. When you look around the locker room and can see it – that everyone expects a win and a good game. It sets the tone for the entire game.” Read full story »

Sophomore outfielder Beka James takes the plate for the Lady Lions / Triangle photo by Josiah Newport

Josiah Newport
Triangle Reporter

Bryan College’s softball team started its second season as a program on Monday with two huge wins against the Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga, Tenn.) Crusaders. Jill Davis, sophomore second baseman, said, “I think we are going to surprise people this year. They’re not going to expect us to be any good, especially given our record from last year.”

Davis and her fellow teammates took the Lady Crusaders by surprise. Read full story »

Bryan baseball team wins three-game series against Rio Grande University

The Lions recorded 26 total hits in the three-game series against Rio Grande / Triangle photo by Alex Green

Brittany Gurley
Triangle Reporter

The Lions’ baseball team swept Rio Grande (Ohio) University last weekend in a three-game series.  The win gives Bryan a record of 6-1.

The Lions won Friday night’s game 10-4. The RedStorm scored a run in the top of the second inning, to which the Lions countered by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning.  But the RedStorm scored three runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead.  It wasn’t until the sixth inning that the Lions came back, scoring two runs.  The Lions added five more runs in the eighth inning, leaving the RedStorm the night to ready themselves for the following day’s doubleheader.

Saturday’s games were fought in grueling, cold  and snowy weather . Read full story »

Josiah Newport
Triangle Reporter

Men’s baseball fell to 3-1 on the season after traveling to Rome, Georgia, Tuesday to take on the Shorter University Hawks in a non-conference game.

Tight pitching from the Shorter staff shut down the Bryan bats that were so hot this past week. Shorter pitcher, Ryan Newell, recorded 12 strikeouts before coming off in the seventh inning. The Lions could only manage two hits against such good pitching.

However, solid pitching from Senior Tyson Latham kept the score at 1-0, in favor of the Hawks, for six innings. Senior Zach Breazeale took the mound in the seventh and gave up three hits, which led to two runs for the Hawks. The Lions committed seven errors in the loss. The final score was 3-0.

The Lions are now 3-1 and look to take on the University of Rio Grande (Oh.) this Friday at 5 p.m.