Bryan College Triangle

by Ericka Simpson
Staff Writer

Junior forward Keith Bauer goes in for a lay-up against Reinhardt College in the Lion's first game of the AAC tournament. Triangle photo by Maddie K. Doucet, Staff Photographer.

The Bryan College men’s basketball team fell to Reinhardt College (Waleska, Ga.) 68-61, ending their season. The Lions hosted the Eagles on Wednesday, Feb. 24 in the quarterfinals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament.

Going into the tournament, the Lions were in a four-way tie for first place in the AAC with an 11-5 conference record. They tied with Bluefield College (Va.), Union College (Barbourville, Ky.) and The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

The game plan was not much different than any other game, according to Head Coach Don Rekoske.

“Playing good defense and rebounding is where it all starts for us,” Rekoske said, “And I don’t feel like we did either of those things that well.”

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by Billy Findley
Sports Editor

The men’s basketball team dominated the Cobras of Virginia Intermont College (Bristol, Va.) 81 – 48 Monday night in Virginia. The victory put the Lions a mere two wins away from securing first place in the AAC this season and being eligible to host the post-season tournament scheduled to begin Feb. 24. It’s been nearly 10 years since the team has finished first in the conference, according to Head Coach Don Rekoske.

The win Monday was prefaced by a substantial victory against Montreat College (N.C.) last Saturday. However, the team stayed cautious going into Monday’s game, not taking anything for granted despite Virginia Intermont’s current ranking of seventh in the AAC.

Junior power forward Astral Guerrier soars passed for a layup during Saturday's game against Montreat College. Photo by Billy Findley.

“They’re very dangerous on the road,” Rekoske said Saturday after the game against Montreat. Junior forwards Scott Newton and Derrick Batt both concurred with Rekoske’s statement Saturday, and both said the team would need to stay focused in order to accomplish their overarching goal of finishing out the season on top. After Monday night’s performance, the Lions may do just that.

There was not a time during the game that the Lions trailed the Virtinia Intermont Cobras. Players of the game for Bryan included junior guard Xavierian McCall who finished with 14 points and junior power forward Astral Guerrier who dominated the boards with 14 points and 18 rebounds. The rest of the team followed suit, particularly three players off the bench, according to Rekoske – senior guard/forward Andrew Slikker, sophomore guard Jeremy Haley and freshman guard Tyler Clark, who, according to Rekoske, played his best game of the season Monday night.

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by Catherine Rogers
Staff Writer

The Bryan Lions’ men’s basketball team cut short a three-game skid and won both away games last week, tying for first place in the AAC with the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs (Athens). Read full story »

by Tim Baldi
Staff Writer

Triangle Photo by Tim Baldi.

The Bryan Lion’s men’s basketball team scored a hard-earned victory in overtime against the Tennessee Wesleyan (Athens) Bulldogs at the Dec. 5 home game.

The Lions lost a six point lead during the last minutes of the second half allowing the Bulldogs to tie them 74-74 and bringing the game into overtime.

“The team lacked defensive intensity,” said Head Coach Don Rekoske, “they were not taking care of the ball.”

During overtime, however, the Lions retook the lead and beat the Bulldogs 84-82. Read full story »

by Ericka Simpson
Triangle Staff Writer

Walking into the gym, students can sense a noticeable difference. The volleyball net has disappeared, and the piercing squeak of basketball shoes against the lacquered floor can be heard as the Bryan College basketball team practices for its upcoming game.

The Lions are ranked fifth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference preseason polls, which do not count for much at this point in the season, according to Head Coach Don Rokoske.

“No one truly knows how good any team is,” Reskoske said. Read full story »