Anderson, S.C.- The Anderson University basketball team could not overcome the nine point differential created by the Eagles in the third quarter of action, falling to top-tier Carson-Newman, 75-67, on Monday evening at the Abney Athletic Center. The Trojans move to 9-6 overall and 8-5 in SAC play, while the Eagles improve to 8-1 overall and conference action.
"Tough loss as we try to navigate back from Covid and get players back into a flow, but overall I was pleased with some things we did as well," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree.
"Carson-Newman is a really good team with a lot of weapons," pointed out Barbaree. "As you make defensive mistakes, they hurt you with a made basket."
"If we hit some more free throws and throw in a couple bunnies we missed on put backs, then we are right there," added Barbaree. "I am really proud of how our team is circling around one another during this year and continuing to be resilient. That's the key to playing our best down the stretch."
KEY STATS
- The game featured eight ties and six lead changes.
- Carson-Newman outrebound the Trojans, 44-39.
- The Eagles outscored Anderson, 27-18, during the third quarter.
KEY TROJANS
- J'Mya Cutter scored a career-high 20 points on seven-of-12 shooting, including two-of-four from behind the arc.
- Samantha Michel recorded her fourth double-double in a row scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while rejecting six shots.
- Britney Bailey grabbed 11 rebounds, while chipping in six points.
NOTES
-Michel has recorded four straight double-doubles and has a total of 19 blocked shots over that same span.
FIRST QUARTER
- Anderson outscored Coker, 14-10.
- AU's Cutter scored five points in the quarter, including the opening bucket for the Trojans.
SECOND QUARTER
- Carson-Newman outscored the Trojans, 20-16.
- Anderson built an eight point lead with 6:53 to play in the second stanza.
- The Eagles hit back-to-back three-point baskets and a layup to quickly erase the deficit.
- Both team exchange baskets the remaining 5:26 to go into halftime tied at, 30-30.
THIRD QUARTER
- The Eagles outscored the Black and Gold, 27-18
- Anderson began the quarter with a 5-0 run, before a layup by CN's Lindsey Taylor stopped the run.
- CN's three-point basket tied the game at, 37-37, with 7:29 remaining in the third.
- The Eagles took the lead at the 4:11 mark, for the first time since the 1:14 mark in the first period.
- Carson-Newman outscored Anderson, 20-11, to build a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
- AU was done by as many as 13 with 2:28 to go.
- A traditional three-point play by AU's Spurlin pulled the Trojans within 10, with CN's Braelyn Wykle answering back with a layup at the 1:16 mark.
- Michel's layup cut the lead to 10 with Wykle's made free throw pushing it back to 11.
- AU's Hair three-basket brought the Trojans to within eight with just 14 ticks left. Carson-Newman was able to dribble out the clock for the, 75-67, victory.
UP NEXT
-Anderson travels to SAC opponent Tusculum on Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 pm.
