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 »

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer

Lose 57-74 on the road to conference powerhouse Tennessee Wesleyan College

The Bryan College women’s basketball team (7-1, 0-1 in AAC) suffered its first defeat of the season Wednesday night at Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens). Against the Lady Bulldogs (5-3,1-0 in AAC), who are ranked eighth nationally, the Lions looked like the stronger side in the first half, but were outplayed in the second period, losing with a final score of 57-74.

Coming to Athens undefeated, Bryan stepped on the court with confidence and went on a 14-6 run to start the game. Throughout the first half the Lady Lions dominated the match, pushing the lead to as much as 13 points and shooting a solid 0.455% from beyond the arch. Sophomore point guard Macy Kilgore led the scoring, recording 15 points for the game, all of them being three-pointers. Read full story »

The new women's basketball coach Jason Smith brings a fresh approach and much success to the Lady Lion's season / Triangle photo by Maddie Doucet

Ricky Angel
Guest Writer

The Women’s Varsity basketball team is off with a 7-0 start to their season. Success hasn’t been a familiar feeling for the women’s basketball team in recent years, but with new Head Coach Jason Smith and his fresh approach to the game, the Lady Lions are starting to find their rhythm.

“My first focus was changing the culture,” said Smith. “We have to change how we’re viewed on campus, in the community, and in the conference.”

Smith puts much focus on core values like responsibility and integrity on and off the field, and constantly challenges his players in those areas.

“We’ve got some really good chemistry,”said Smith. “The girls have really responded to the challenge.”

The team is currently ranked in the top ten in  the NAIA Division II in nine categories including two first place rankings in scoring margin (30.286) and field goal percent defense (0.279).

The difference between this year and the past few years, according to Senior guard Bethany McArthur, is an overall positive experience.

“We all play for each other, and everyone respects the coach,” she said. 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 »