Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. - A 22-point lead dwindled down late, but the Brevard College Tornados Women's Basketball team (4-1) escaped with a 64-57 victory over Bob Jones University (3-7) at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
Brevard held a lead on Thursday evening for 36:05, but the Bruins of Bob Jones were able to cut the Tornados' lead to just three points late. With just 2:52 remaining in the contest, BC held a slim 60-57 lead. However, an Avery Lockwood layup and one free throw each from Ty'She Washington and Destiny Williams put the game out of reach, giving the Tornados their fourth win of the young 2018-19 season.
Brevard was anchored by an impressive offensive outburst from senior guard Annalee Bollinger. Bollinger put up a game-high 24 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-14 from long distance. Bollinger's 24 points and five 3-pointers were season highs for the Hickory, N.C. native.
"Annalee has produced like this for her entire career at Brevard," commented Head Coach Donald Hudson on Bollinger's performance on Thursday evening. "She can light up the opposition at any time inside of this gym."
Deja Riddick added 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, along with seven rebounds.
Williams earned her third double-double of the season, recording 11 points and 11 rebounds, five of which were offensive boards.
Lockwood continued her impressive rebounding work on Thursday evening. The Foxworth, Miss. native grabbed eight rebounds, including five offensive boards, in 16 minutes of action.
The Bruins were led offensively by the duo of Kylee Leffew and Delaney Edwards. Leffew recorded a team-high 13 points, while Edwards tallied 11 points. Both contributed heavily to the Bruins' quality free throw shooting. Leffew made 5-of-7 from the free throw line, while Edwards made 4-of-5.
BC held off Bob Jones despite being outshot from the field. The Tornados shot 21-of-71 compared to the Bruins' 16-of-47 clip.
Brevard's defense played extremely well throughout the night. The Tornados forced 20 turnovers, which led to 24 points off turnovers in the contest.
Both teams jockeyed for position early in the first quarter, but Brevard was able to obtain a 22-13 lead thanks to five first quarter 3-pointers.
The Tornados would spark a 13-2 run in the second quarter to take a 40-22 lead with one minute remaining. BC held a 42-27 advantage at the half.
Brevard stormed out of the gates in the third quarter, using a quick 9-2 run to extend its lead to a game-high 22-point margin. The Bruins would claw back, cutting the BC lead to 56-40 heading into the final period.
Bob Jones would not be denied in the final stanza of the match. The Bruins used a monumental 17-4 run to cut Brevard's lead to 60-57 with just 2:52 remaining in the contest.
Lockwood came through late for the Tornados, taking a Washington pass and drilling a layup to give Brevard a five-point lead with 1:20 left in the game.
After an Edwards miss, Bob Jones was forced to foul Brevard, which gave the Tornados the opportunity to ice the game and escape Boshamer Gymnasium with a 64-57 victory.
"We did a great job with moving the basketball and playing together early in the game," stated Head Coach Donald Hudson after the victory.
"Our quick shot selection in the second half led to multiple fast break opportunities for Bob Jones, which allowed them the opportunity to get back into the game," added Coach Hudson. "We are still trying to figure out ways to win late. It is always better to be able to teach after a win, and we will learn and be better from this game."
Brevard finishes the month of November with a 4-1 record, which included three home victories at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
The Tornados will now turn their attention to this Saturday, December 1. Brevard will host its first-ever countable USA South regular season contest against Wesleyan (Ga.) at 2 p.m.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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