December 6, 2007

 

     Dayton, TN—In a mid-week tune up before heading back into conference play, the Lions took the floor on Thursday night at Summers Gymnasium against the Crusaders from Tennessee Temple University. In the past, games between these two schools have been intense as the proximity of the two campuses adds to the rivalry. Tennessee Temple is located just down the road in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee just 25 miles north of Bryan College.

     The intensity level of this game would be no different as the Lions were looking to get back on track after a tough loss on the road at Montreat, and Tennesse Temple was looking for just their second win of the season after a tough early season schedule.

     The two teams struggled to score early, and with 13 minutes left in the first half, the two teams had combined to score only 13 total points with Bryan leading 7-6. Hot shooting from Lions Guard Kyle Terry and a solid offensive performance by PG Demond Craig kept the Lions in the game while they stuggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 32%. Temple struggled offensively in the first half as well, shooting just 30% from the floor, but headed to the locker room with a 2 point lead over the home team, 26-24.

     Bryan cleaned things up on the offensive end of the floor in the second half, managing to hit 54% from the floor and outscoring the Crusaders 40-31 in the period. The Lions were led by Cody Christopher who played strong in the paint, rebounding and finishing well around the basket to put the Lions out front. Christopher finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Demond Craig poured in 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in his most solid offensive performance of the year.  Charlie Lytle had another double-double for the Lions, with 10 points and 10 boards, while Kyle Terry added 9 points and 3 steals in the victory.

     Bryan was able to hold Tennessee Temple to a 22% shooting in the second half and 26% for the game, the lowest total of any Lions’ opponent this year.  Temple kept it close at the free throw line, where they shot 90% in the second half. Demond Craig knocked down some key free throws down the stretch as the Lions held on to win 64-57.

Bryan will take the floor again Saturday afternoon as they take on the Cobras from Virginia Intermont College at 4 PM in an AAC matchup with major implications to the conference standings.