Saturday afternoon the Barclay College Men’s Basketball team resumed their game schedule after a month-long layoff when NCCAA Division II #2 Arlington Baptist College (Arlington, TX) traveled to Hockett Auditorium.

The first meeting of the year between the two teams revealed a serious experience and height advantage for the Patriots but this time around the Bears competed well. In front of a raucous crowd, the Bears went toe to toe with the Patriots until Arlington’s Junior shooting guard Raphael Garcia connected on his first of six three pointers midway through the half. Behind Garcia’s shooting, the Patriots took a 21 point lead into the half even though a last-second running lay-up from Freshman Caleb Davis excited the crowd. In the second half, the Patriots interior advantage wore on the Bears as they out-rebounded the Bears 60-32 to walk away with a 107-76 victory.

“I really thought we made some huge strides this afternoon. We had every opportunity in the world to quit and my guys never did. They played their hearts out all they way to the end. Couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Head Coach Royce Bryan. “There is a reason that team is ranked second in the nation and I would say we at least competed with them today unlike the first time we played.”

Junior Tommy Leach led the Bears in scoring with 23 points and 3 assists. In addition, Freshman David Lewis added 19 points while Freshman Pedro Chavez pulled down 6 rebounds.

The Bears travel to Belton, MO to take on Calvary Bible College on Friday at 7:30 PM CST. On Saturday they will go up against Ozark Christian College (Joplin, MO) at 3:00 PM.