ANDERSON, S.C. – Despite a slow start, the Anderson University women's basketball team handily won its season home opener, 98-57, against nonconference opponent Southern Wesleyan on Wednesday evening at the Abney Athletic Center.
With the win, Anderson moves to 3-0 on the season while the Warriors start their 2017-18 campaign, 0-1.
The Trojans placed four players in double-digits with junior Ace Easter scoring a game-high 20 points in just 23 minutes of action. Junior Erika Martin netted a career high 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting with four rebounds to her credit. Forward Alexis Dillard recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds while sophomore Hannah Hodges chipped in a career high 10 points for the Black and Gold.
Capping off the Trojans' scoring was freshman Taylor Hair (8), sophomore Alexy Mollenhauer and freshman Alexis Tate (7), senior Kaylee Koerperich (6), senior Jasmine Raynor and sophomore Makayla Green (5) and sophomore Amari Grevious (4). Guards Raynor and Madison Baggett pulled down an impressive eight and seven rebounds, respectively.
Southern Wesleyan placed one player in double-figures with Breanna Richardson scoring a team-high 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Kasey Howard ripped down a team-high eight rebounds while chipping in six points for the Warriors.
After a slow start and a line change, the Trojans were able to erase an 8-0 deficit. AU's Martin starting the scoring on a made layup with 4:55 left in the first quarter to give the Black and Gold their first points of the night.
With the game knotted up at 8-8, AU's Green drained a three-pointer from the corner to give the Trojans their first lead of the game. Back to Back made jumpers by the Warriors helped them reclaim the lead, 12-11 with 1:18 remaining in the first. After a made layup by AU's Green, the Trojans never trailed again for the remainder of the game.
Reserve Hodges scored six of her 10 points in the opening frame to help spark Anderson and claim the 17-12 lead heading into the second quarter.
Anderson poured it on in the second and third quarters outscoring the Warriors 56-23. Southern Wesleyan narrowly lost the final stanza, 25-22, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Head Coach Jonathon Barbaree's Thoughts: "It was a slow start, but once we settled in I thought we did a solid job. Really proud of our bench and how they sparked us when they came in. They gave us a big lift this game."
"We need to continue to work and build on each game."
EXTRA DRIBBLE
-With 13 total rebounds, Dillard moves into the 5th spot on Anderson's all-time career rebound list. The 10 defensive rebounds propels Dillard into the 4th spot on the all-time career defensive rebound list.
-The 61 total rebounds matches the total rebounds from last year's game at Southern Wesleyan on 11/19/16.
-Through the first three games, the Trojans are averaging 58 rebounds per game.
UP NEXT
Anderson will hit the road for a five-game road swing with its first stop being Due West, S.C. to face rival Erskine. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Belk Arena.
