After a four game slump the lady bruins come out with fiery aggression against Gillette College, beating them 72 to 60 in a competitive battle.
Starting the game sophomore guard Miranda Averett sets the tone with agile attacks at the basket. Her exceptional baseline to baseline speed allows her out run her opponents and get to where she needs to go.
“I’ve just been quick my whole life,” says Averett.
She also takes pride in displaying leadership on and off the court due to her experience in the program.
“I know how we run our plays and I know how our coaches coach, making it easier for me to help out the freshman,” says Averett.
The first half proved to be nobody’s game as the two teams continued to claw at one another taking turns at the lead.
With seven minutes left in the first half SLCC player Ateh Ade makes her presence felt, as she muscles her way to the basket and scores a tough lay up in the half court putting the Bruins up by two points.
To end the half sophomore guard Kiela Garner for Gillette splits the premeditated trap by the bruins, and then pushes the ball forward to shooting range, then elevates and hits a smooth jumper before the clock runs out leaving the score at 27 to 26.
Beginning the second half SLCC comes out ready to play and dominate their opponents in the scrappy battle for the win.
Vocal guard Raushan Gultekin comes out with a loud and in your face tenacious defense giving SLCC some much needed energy.
“I’m full of passion and have a lot of energy I’ve always been like that,” says Gultekin.
In result of the overall added energy the Bruins gain a quick four point cushion on the pronghorns and continue to score at will.
With a combination attack from forward Brittany Johnson who had 10 points, guard Natalie Parsons who dropped 12, and Mercedes Briggs who led all scorers with 17, Gillette was all but overwhelmed.
The bruins came into their own as they started to consistently execute text book basketball plays.
One tremendous sighting of this is when Averett ran down her opponent in the open court, and with precise timing she leaped in the air to swat the ball out of bounds and away from Gillette. At a mere 5’9” Averetts block sent the crowd into a loud frenzied excitement.
Following this play Averett again shows why she is an invaluable asset to the team by getting a deflection then leading the fast break with a straight chest pass to Riggs who finishes with an and one.
The Bruins played like a veterans the entire second half executing possession after possession. With a quickly fading minuet left in the game Parsons hits a dagger three.
Coming together in unison and playing with a harmonic chemistry the Bruin show that they can compete at a top level and be a powerhouse in their conference.
There are always things to improve nonetheless, and even from the younger players seem to be aware.
“We have a tendency to start off slow, we need to come out at beat it up,” says Gultekin.
The Bruins coming off a strong performance and good mindset are prepared to devastate their next victims against Winston College December sixth.
