Box Score FLORENCE, Ala.—For the third straight game on their three-game road trip, the No. 13 Christian Brothers University Bucs found themselves facing a double-digit deficit in the second half Thursday night at North Alabama. But the Bucs out-scored North Alabama 55-29 in the second half as they pulled away for an 87-74 victory to remain within a game of first-place Alabama-Huntsville heading into Sunday afternoon's showdown with the Chargers.
Early on, the Lions (14-10, 6-6 GSC) sizzled, especially from three-point range. They were 9-of-16 in the first half, including making six of their first eight. Back-to-back triples by Theron Jenkins and Beaumont Beasley capped a 15-0 run that left the Lions ahead 45-29 with 2:34 remaining in the first half.
The Bucs (19-4, 10-2) began their comeback on the ensuing possession as
Harry Green (Memphis, Tenn./White Station HS) knocked down a triple to set the halftime margin. Another Green three started the second half, followed by a
Scott Dennis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) three-point play, a
Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) three, and a
Zack Warner (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton HS) layup that cut the deficit to 47-43 with 15:27 remaining. After a Wes Long triple put the Lions ahead 60-56 with 10:25 remaining, Dennis took over. He scored two free throws then two layups to spark a 17-2 run that put the Bucs in full control, capped by two more Dennis free throws to extend the CBU lead to 75-62 with 2:39 remaining. The Lions never came closer than eight points in the final mintues.
The Bucs' 55 points in the second half were their second-most in a half this season and the most in a second half. Dennis scored 24 of his 31 points and grabbed nine of his season-best 15 rebounds after the intermission. He also dished out six assists, making 8-of-12 field goals and a perfect 14-of-14 free throws. Warner added 21 points with six rebounds and five assists.
Beasley paced UNA with 25 points and six assists, and Theron Jenkins scored 12 points with 11 rebounds and five assists for the Lions. Long added 11.
The Bucs shot 52.9 percent (27-of-51) for the game, including 57.7 percent (15-of-26) in the second half. The Bucs were 36.7 percent (11-of-30) from three-point range and 78.6 percent (22-of-28) at the free throw line. UNA shot 43.1 percent (28-of-65) overall but just 29.4 percent (10-of-34) in the second half. The Bucs out-rebounded UNA 40-30 but committed 12 turnovers while committing six.
The Bucs come home Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. for Senior Day, when they will face No. 6 Alabama-Huntsville (20-3, 11-1) in a battle between the top two teams in the GSC.
