How Haylen Ayers, USJ basketball responded after winter layoff in win vs Jackson Christian

Haylen Ayers walked off the court Tuesday at Jackson Christian’s Escue Gym and let out a sharp exhale.

Another win, a big one. USJ girls basketball knocked off the Eagles, 44-37, to complete a Bruins’ season sweep and give USJ its seventh win in a row.

The winter storm kept the Bruins out of the gym for games or practices for almost a full week, making a competitive win even more impressive.

Here’s how the Bruins responded to the string of challenges in the last week.

Haylen Ayers, USJ get shots up

After the winter storm hit West Tennessee on Jan. 13, schools were closed for over a week – shutting down practices and games for area teams.

However, Ayers and her family were able to find a way to get into the gym – over at Union University.

“We obviously couldn’t use our gym,” Ayers said. “I found a way to get my shots up every day.”

The Bruins were able to get into their facility on Jan. 18 for volunteer practice – and the Bruins showed up.

The week went by with its challenges without official practice, but the Bruins were still able to get their chances to work on their game.

Haylen Ayers plays smart

Ayers drew two fouls in the first half, a blocking foul and an offensive foul.

She ended up with three fouls with another blocking foul – in the fourth quarter.

“You probably heard my dad (coach Joel Ayers) on the sideline playing, ‘Play smart!’ ” she said.

Ayers did play smart, controlled but not rigid. She finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. She didn’t drive the ball as much as she usually does, but the Eagles worked to take that facet of her game away.

USJ’s roster steps up

Ayers shot 5-of-16 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line – not her typical game.

Lilly Teague scored 10 points and had two tough field goals through contact and hit a big first-quarter 3-pointer. Ellen Driver had nine points, including a pair of layups in transition to push the Bruins ahead late in the game.

“Big shoutout to my teammates, they definitely picked it up on offense,” Ayers said. “It makes me feel so good to have teammates who can (step up).”

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Joel Ayers loved the way the Bruins moved the ball in transition and rose together to win a pivotal game for their season and pick up their 21st-straight win over Jackson Christian – a win streak dating back to Jan. 3, 2014.

“We had a lot of kids step up in different ways,” he said. “We had some kids that showed up on the scorebook but had some kids that showed up in ways that weren't in the scorebook. And it's always big when you get contributions for multiple kids in a lot of different ways.”