WAUWATOSA, WI (January 16, 2019) - After suffering a tough loss to the #1 ranked South Suburban College Bulldogs, the schedule did not get any easier for the Bryant & Stratton College men's basketball team as they traveled to Cedar Rapids, IA Wednesday night and came up short to the #4 ranked Kirkwood Community College Eagles 86-77. 

The loss sets the Bobcats back to 13-7 overall while remaining 12-2 in region competition. 

Getting off to a sluggish start, the Bobcats found themselves down early as they trailed 16-8 with 11 minutes remaining in the first half.

In need of of an offensive spark, floor general, Justin Brookens, delivered for the Bobcats as he knocked down back-to-back three's cutting the deficit to just two points (16-14) with 10 minutes left in the half.

"Justin did a great job running the team tonight," Bobcats head coach, Matt Majkrzak, said. 

After going scoreless for three straight minutes, the Eagles finally found life as they converted a tough jump shot to extend the lead back up to four with eight minutes remaining before the break.

"Our game plan was to force them to hit perimeter shots," Majkrzak said. 

Riding with the hot hand, Brookens kept his rhythm going for the Bobcats as he drained a third consecutive step-back three closing the gap to one point (18-17). 

The Bobcats saw their first lead of the game come after sophomore guard, Joe Duty, sunk one from 27 feet giving them a 20-18 advantage with seven minutes remaining in the half.

"I think both teams did a great job of playing their style," Majkrzak said. "It was fun to watch contrasting styles battle in a well played college basketball game."

After a back-and-forth battle the remainder of the half, Bryant & Stratton led 32-30 with 10 seconds left on the clock but failed to hold onto the lead as the Eagles sunk a corner three at the buzzer to take a 33-32 lead at the break.

"Kirkwood answered and made big plays throughout the game and down the stretch," Majkrzak said.

Carrying over his stellar play into the final 20 minutes, Brookens kept his flow as he knocked down a shot from 23 feet just seconds into the half giving the Bobcats a 35-32 edge.

"There is no doubt our offense flows through Justin," Majkrzak said.

Midway through the half, the score was tied at 50 points a-piece as both teams would not let up on the gas.

WIth just over seven minutes remaining, the Bobcats fell behind 59-53 but it was Brookens coming through yet again as he drilled one from beyond the arc cutting the deficit to three points (59-56).

"It is hard to beat one of the best teams in the country on their home court," Majkrzak said. "When you catch them on a hot shooting night its becomes even tougher to win as well."

Over the course of a five minute span, the Eagles put together a 14-5 run and led 73-61 with just two minutes left on the clock

Coming out of a small shooting slump, freshman guard, Manny Jingco, knocked down a clutch three-pointer followed by a layup and free throw bringing the Bobcats back within eight points (75-67) with just over a minute left in regulation.

"I thought Manny was huge for us tonight," Majkrzak said. "He provided much needed three's which is what he does best."

Needing the clock to stop, the Bobcats were forced to foul over the final seconds but the deficit continued to increase as the Eagles failed to miss at the charity stripe and eventually ran away with the win.

"We just needed to make a few more big plays down the stretch," Majkrzak said.

Dropping 10 points over his season average, it was Brookens leading the way with a game-high 29 points on 7-15 shooting from distance.

Jingco followed with 17 points on 6-12 shooting from the field which included 4-8 from downtown.

Freshman forward, Chris Thompson, and Duty added 10 points each

The Bobcats shot 40.6% from the field and a resounding 43.8% from long range.

UP NEXT:

Bryant & Stratton will get back into region play this weekend as they travel to Palos Hills, IL to take on the Moraine Valley Community College Cyclones. The Bobcats have owned the past two contests against the Cyclones as they earned a 83-79 victory last season and a 96-92 win in the 2016-17 season.

Tip-off will take place at 1:00pm.

Spectators can view the game live on the OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

Follow Bobcats: News l Facebook l Twitter l Instagram