The Bruins men’s basketball team played Thomas University on Saturday in their first road game of the year. Both teams came into the game following back-to-back wins. The Bruins went into the game knowing they would have to play solid defense against the productive Night Hawks offense.

The Bruins started out well and had the lead at 26-24, but then went dry for an eight-minute stretch, allowing the Night Hawks to take a 48-30 lead. The Bruins were able to adjust during halftime, but playing from behind wore on the Bruins players, and the Night Hawks sustained a sizeable lead. Despite a run that brought the game within 10 points, Thomas University stayed out in front to hand the Bruins their first loss at 88-75.

On Tuesday night, the Bruins headed back to Georgia to take on the Lions of Emmanuel College. The Lions started hot and jumped out in front by eight points only a couple minutes in, but the Bruins settled in and closed the gap. After the first several minutes, scoring slowed down to a back-and-forth game. The Lions knocked down three shots from behind the arc to close the first half, giving them a decisive lead going into the break.

Both teams were more alive offensively to start the second half. The game stayed within a couple of points until the middle of the half, when the Bruins found themselves in foul trouble. The Lions capitalized and began to pull away toward the end of the game. “They were disciplined and didn’t make a lot of mistakes,” said junior guard Zach Mercado.

The next Bruins men’s game will be tonight in Rocky Mount, N.C., against Greensboro College.