ANDERSON, S.C.- The Anderson University women's basketball team used a determined spirt and team effort to upend South Atlantic Conference foe Carson-Newman, 84-76, in a pivotal match-up Wednesday night at the Abney Center.
With the win, Anderson improves to 16-5 overall and 13-4 in the league snagging sole possession of 3rd place from the Eagles. Carson-Newman falls to 15-8 overall and 12-5 in conference action.
The Trojans placed four players in double-figures led by senior Heather Jankowy's game-high 23 points, one point shy of her career-high scored early this season against Newberry. Freshman Madison Baggett gave the Black and Gold a huge lift and the fans a treat with a rare triple-double. Baggett netted 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out a career-high 10 assists. Senior Jasmine Franklin narrowly missed her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Alexy Mollenhauer chipped in 13 points.
Capping off the Black and Gold's scoring was senior Bailey Sims(8), sophomore Erika Martin(5), junior Jasmine Raynor(3), senior Nakia Young(2) and Kaylee Koerperich(2).
Carson-Newman also placed four players in double-figures with Kailyn Brooks and Mika Wester dropping in 18 apiece. Kaitlyn Cupples netted 14 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while Briana Smith chipped in 10 points for the Eagles.
Anderson opened the contest with a 12-0 run taking its largest lead of the game, 23-9, with 3:54 left to play in the first quarter. The Eagles responded with an 11-2 run to close out the period to pull back within five.
The Trojans were once again able to build a double-digit lead in the second quarter, 38-26, with just under four minutes to play in the half. Once again, the pesky Eagles would not go away cutting the lead to seven heading into intermission.
The Eagles used a 20 point third period to pull within four, 57-53, heading into the final stanza.
Less than a minute and a half into the fourth period, the Eagles took the lead for the first time of the contest on a made layup by Brooks. Carson-Newman led for the next 4:59 seconds until Baggett netted two foul shots to pull ahead by one, 67-66.
Anderson never relinquished the lead hitting 11-of-12 foul shots over the final three and a half minutes to claim the hard fought, 84-76 victory.
Head Coach Jonathon Barbaree's Thoughts: "What a great game to be a part of tonight. Two really good teams battling to the end in a high scoring game. I was extremely proud of our effort and our fight. It's something we have been pushing for the last few days of practice. Also, I can't say enough about how well we shot the ball as a team. I don't mention individuals often, but it's not everyday you see a kid get a triple-double. I'm very proud of how our freshman point guard Madison played tonight in a big game."
EXTRA DRIBBLE
-With the win, the Trojans snapped a three game losing streak to the Eagles.
-Jankowy is 15 points away from becoming a 1000 point scorer for the Trojans.
-Mollenhauer was given the tall task of defending Wester, the Eagles leading scorer and the SAC's third leading scorer. Wester only scored four points in the first period and four points in the third period before scoring 10 in the fourth period to reach her season average.
-The Trojans took sole possession of third place in the SAC with the win.
- Bagget's triple-double was the first for the Trojans since joining the SAC in 2010.
UP NEXT
Anderson hits the road to play SAC opponent Catawba on Saturday. The Trojans are looking to avenge a home loss to the Indians earlier this year. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
