January 15, 2008

 

     Lookout Mtn., GA—Anytime Bryan College takes on Covenant College in any sport, the game is considered a “must win.” During Bryan Head Coach Don Rekoske’s time at Bryan, the basketball games have been heated and close as the two teams have traded victories. The rivalry usually means packed gyms, seas of red and blue clad students and intense competition on the floor. Tuesday night was no different as Bryan students, fresh off their break for the holidays traveled up the mountain to support their Lions as they took on the Scots in the teams’ first meeting of the year.

     The Lions and Scots traded baskets early before a Mike Lytle 3-pointer gave the Lions a 16-12 lead with 12:45 to play in the first half. The Scots would fight back, however as they went on a 6-0 to pull ahead 18-16 at the 11:00 mark. Again the teams traded buckets for a few minutes before Derek Batt came off the bench to score 5 straight points giving the Lions a 3 point lead, 30-27. Melkam Kifle came into the game to spell Demond Craig, and immediately got Bryan’s offensive going; With just more than 2 minutes left in the first half, Kifle drove the lane and it looked as if the guard was going to take a jumper, but Kifle tossed a high arcing pass that found Cody Christopher for a monstrous Alley-Oop which sent the Bryan fans into a frenzy. Christopher would score the Lions’ last 6 points of the first half, leading his team to the locker room at the break with an 8 point lead, 38-30.

     Bryan came out fast to start the second half, jumping out on a 10-1 run sparked by two Lamarr Shorts 3-pointers to push their lead to 17. Covenant fought back, getting to within 7 points before Demond Craig hit a 3 to extend the lead back to 10 with 7 minutes to play. Covenant would again make a run, as they did all night long, but back to back layups by Lamarr Shorts and Demond Craig pushed the Lions lead to 11. All night long when the Lions needed big buckets, it was Shorts and Craig who answered the call. This was a “must win” game in every sense of the word for the Lions, and it showed in the urgency with which the Lions played.

     Cody Christopher continued his strong performance in the second half, though he didn’t score in the second frame; Christopher blocked 3 shots on the night, but changed shots around the rim all night and impacting the game defensively as much as Shorts and Craig did offensively. Bryan got all the offense they needed from Shorts and Craig who finished the night with 17 points a piece.  Lions’ Freshman Charlie Lytle also came up big for Rekoske on Tuesday night, finishing with 9 points and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes of play.

     Covenant turned up the pressure, cutting the lead to 5 with 10 seconds to play, but that was as close as they would get. The Lions would add a free throw, pushing their lead to 6, and as time expired the Lions headed to the locker room with a 6 point victory. Final Score: Bryan 66-Covenant 60.