Bryan College Triangle

Senior forward Keith Bauer attmepts to break through Union’s defense on his way to the basket during Saturday afternoon’s game./Triangle photo by Catherine Rogers

by Catherine Rogers
Multimedia Editor

Saturday afternoon marked the regular-season finale game for the Bryan College men’s basketball team, during which they hosted and defeated the Union College (Barbourville, Ky.) Bulldogs, 77-69.

“Union has one of the best players in the league, [sophomore guard Turrell Morris], and they won two decisive games coming in, so we knew they we’re going to be a tough team,” said Head Coach Don Rekoske. “I thought we had to play at a very high level to beat them, so that’s a tribute to how well our guys played.”

In the first half, Bryan took the game’s first lead and despite a five-minute back-and-forth swap, held the lead for the majority of the first 20 minutes of play. Going into the locker rooms, the Bulldogs trailed the Lions 37-33.

The second period saw the Lions pull out an 11-point lead in the half’s first three minutes and top the high level of play from Union, managing an 8-point win. Bryan outrebounded Union, 36-27, and committed only eight turnovers to Union’s eleven. Read full story »

Catherine Rogers
Multimedia Editor

Senior point guard Demond Craig attempts a move around Virginia Intermont players / Triangle Photo by Catherine Rogers

The Bryan College men’s basketball team hosted the Virginia Intermont College (Bristol, Va.) Cobras last Wednesday in a conference game expected to continue the Lion’s winning streak. The Cobras took the win, 65-61.

Both teams took turns leading during the first half, but the halftime buzzer left the Lions trailing the Cobras, 37-29.

The rest of the game was led by the Cobras until just over five minutes remained on the clock. The two teams fought for the lead for several minutes until the Cobras took a one point lead in the final minute of the game. With 22 seconds left, the Cobras moved to a three point lead. Twelve seconds remained and a Virginia Intermont player hit a free throw putting their lead at four points. Read full story »

Catherine Rogers
Multimedia Editor

The Bryan College Men’s Basketball Team hosted Maryville (Tenn.) College Monday night, winning their last nonconference game of the season, 79-73, and putting their winning streak total at ten in the last 11 games.

“Maryville was a big game, but every game is big now,” said senior guard Derek Batt. “Maryville is extremely talented and beat us at our last meeting, but we are on a mission this season.”

Senior forward Astral Guerrier reaches for the ball in Monday's game against Maryville College / Triangle photo by Catherine Rogers

Read full story »

by Catherine Rogers
Multimedia Editor

Senior forward Derek Batt taks a shot on the basket during last Wednesday's game against Tennessee Wesleyan College / Triangle photo by Daniel Jackson

After defeating the Tennessee (Athens) Wesleyan Bulldogs, 71-57, in a home game last Wednesday, the men’s varsity basketball team travelled to Bluefield (Va.) College on Saturday and gained their second win of the week with a score of 67-54.

“It’s our first win [at Bluefield] in the seven years I’ve been at Bryan,” said Head Coach Don Rekoske. “And when you’ve never won up there and you’re playing a team that’s only a game behind you in the conference you’re worried, but I thought we were extremely responsible defensively.”

In the first half, the Lions’ defense kept Bluefield shooting only 24 percent overall and built their lead to 12 points. The score at halftime was 28-16.

“We executed our game plan pretty well,” said senior forward Astral Guerrier. “We shut them down on the defensive end, we out rebounded them and we eliminated fast break points.”

The Lions advanced their lead to 19 points in the second half until the Rams cut it down to nine points just 26 seconds before the final buzzer.

“What really helped us, not only in this game but throughout the year, was bench play,” said Senior guard Xavierian McCall. “[Several players] came in and really gave us a lift.” Read full story »

by Tim Baldi
Staff Writer

This week, I interviewed Don Rekoske, head coach of the men’s varsity basketball team about his goals for the season.

So coach, how has your season been going so far?

So far it’s going real well, we’re 7-3. We’re ranked just outside the top 25 at number 27 in the country.

[There are a] lot of seniors on this year’s team, a group of guys that I’ve really enjoyed coaching. A lot of these guys have played for me for four years. A couple of them are transfers that have played for me as juniors and seniors. We have a good group of guys, good chemistry. It’s been a real pleasure to work with this group.

Editors Note: As of Dec. 6, the Lions are ranked number 25 in the country.

Who are the team’s top players?

We have three all-conference players returning. We are a very balanced team first of all, but we still have our go-to guys. Senior forward center Scott Newton is the league’s runner-up MVP. Junior forward center Astral Guerrier and Senior forward Keith Bauer are second team all-conference players that are returning. Senior guard Dominique Clements has come in this year as a redshirt giving us a nice sixth man off the bench averaging about 11 points a game. Beyond that, Senior point guard Demond [Craig] has had a really good year so far as [point guard]. He’s been a four-year starter for us. That’s always a real luxury to have a kid play [point guard] that’s been a four-year starter. He’s been very productive. Senior guard Xavierian McCall really gets it done on both ends of the floor.

What are the team’s strengths and weaknesses?

Well, we have weaknesses; we’re still a work in progress. We’ve been trying to address those weaknesses over these past 10 days.