By Billy Findley
Sport Editor
In their final game of the season, the Lions basketball team defeated the University of Virginia College at Wise 85 – 69 Saturday night. This victory places the team in a four- way tie for first place in the AAC. This is the first time the men’s varsity basketball team has achieved this status since 2000.
Photo by Billy Findley
UVA-Wise was one game ahead of Bryan going into the game, but, after what Head Coach Don Rekoske said was one of the best team efforts he’s seen in his six years of coaching at Bryan, the Lions closed the season not only in a tie for first place but with the best overall record in the conference.
“This win justifies a season full of hard work,” said junior forward Keith Bauer.
The gym was filled to capacity, and the noise of the fans, both from Bryan and UVA-Wise, vibrated the rafters.
What junior guard Xavierian McCall described as a combination of nerves and apprehensiveness caused the Lions to falter somewhat in the first half. The Lions left the half, trailing 32 – 31.
“We knew we could give a better performance,” McCall said.
With junior forward Keith Bauer fighting through a substantial shoulder injury (he was injected with pain medicine shortly before the game started) and UVA-Wise desperate to defend their first-place ranking, a breakthrough on the Lions part hardly seemed probable, according to Rekoske.
“I honestly thought the game was going to go down to the wire,” Rekoske said.
However, upon returning from the locker room, it seemed a shock of adrenaline had pervaded the Lions. After quickly scoring the first three baskets of the second half, the team caught a wave of momentum that was unstoppable.
With just over two minutes left in the game, the Lions extended their lead to 21 points and went on to finish with an 85 – 69 victory.
Junior forward Scott Newton finished the game with a career high 32 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard/forward Derek Batt finished with a career high 21 points, and junior point guard Demond Craig tied his career high of eight assists.
“We set our goals at the beginning of the season, and, one game at a time, we achieved those goals,” said McCall.
Bryan’s post-season tournament begins this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. here at Bryan. Their first opponent will be Reinhardt College (Waleska, Va.), which is ranked sixth in the conference and finished this season with a 9 – 7 record in the AAC. The team’s top scorer is #17 Will Lewis, who averages just under 15 points a game.
While the competition will be fierce, both Rekoske and the rest of the team have high expectations.
“Anything other than first place is going to be a disappointment,” Bauer said.