KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Bryan College Lions battled to the final buzzer but came up just short, falling 76-74 to Johnson University on Wednesday night.
In a game featuring eight ties and nine lead changes, Bryan (9-13, 7-8) couldn't overcome a slow start despite a spirited second-half comeback attempt against the Royals (11-11, 10-4).
The Lions received a huge lift from their bench, which outscored Johnson's reserves 18-2. Guard
Regale Moore led the charge, drilling 4-of-5 from three-point range to finish with 14 points in 26 minutes. Moore's hot shooting helped Bryan claw back from multiple deficits throughout the contest.
Four Lions reached double figures in a balanced offensive performance.
Ty Gibbs led Bryan with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting, adding five rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes.
Izaiha Bredwood matched Moore's 14-point output while dishing out three assists, and
Jerry Taylor Jr. contributed 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Haydn Moten also scored 11 points and provided solid defense with a blocked shot.
Bryan found themselves in a 45-38 hole at halftime after Johnson shot a blistering 57.6% from the floor and 55.6% from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes. Livingston Cross dominated the first half for the Royals with 14 points, while Jahmar Brown added 16 first-half points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
The Lions showed character in the second half, matching Johnson point-for-point with 36 apiece. Bryan's defense tightened considerably, holding the Royals to just 38.5% shooting and a frigid 10% from three-point range after the break.
Bryan pulled within one point multiple times down the stretch, and
Jerry Taylor Jr.'s two free throws with 47 seconds remaining tied the game at 74-74. However, Mason Lockhart's putback layup with 29 seconds left proved to be the game-winner for Johnson.
Bryan dominated the paint, outscoring Johnson 38-32 in that area, and controlled the glass with a 32-29 rebounding advantage. The Lions also shot efficiently from the field (51.8%) and the free-throw line (75%), but 17 turnovers compared to Johnson's 13 proved costly.
The Lions will look to bounce back from this heartbreaking road loss as they continue conference play. Despite the defeat, Bryan's second-half adjustments and bench production provide encouraging signs moving forward. They will be on the road to Reinhardt on Saturday for another conference battle. Tip off is slated for 4:00 pm.
