VIDEO: Nick Brenegan Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman came out firing on all cylinders in a heavyweight fight against Lenoir-Rhyne, taking the heart-pounding victory, 105-101.
Carson Newman (5-1, 1-0) was facing a new face at the helm of Lenoir-Rhyne (2-2, 0-1 SAC) in Brent Owen. The first-year head coach for the Bears brought over size, power, and shooting from his former post at Eastern New Mexico.
All five of Carson-Newman's starters scored in double-figures, with three having over 20 points. Nick Brennegan (Greenville, S.C.) led the charge with 29 as he was named the Food City Player of the Game. Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.) earned a double-double with 24 points and 13 of Carson-Newman's 34 rebounds.
L-R showed its size on the boards, outrebounding the Eagles 46-34.
"They've got us in terms of size, but we understood that [Lenoir-Rhyne] was going to be able to find their way to the offensive glass." Carson-Newman men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "After the 16-minute media timeout of the first half, they did not have an offensive rebound."
Benson surpassed Carson-Newman Hall of Famer Gene Mehaffey with his 243rd career victory for the second most wins in Carson-Newman program history.
The Bears flexed their muscle early, beginning the contest on a 7-0 run before Trey Hubbard (Charlotte, N.C.) found a layup to get the Eagles on the board. The Eagles chipped away at the Bear lead until nearly six minutes into the contest when Braden Ilic (Morristown, Tenn.) connected on a triple to take Carson-Newman's first lead at 17-16.
The first 20 minutes went back and forth through four ties and six lead changes, but L-R took control late and led by one at the break, 45-44, after a buzzer-beating layup from Browder brought the game within a point.
Similar to the first half, L-R came out firing quickly, building the lead back up to six in the first 90 seconds of the second. The Bears would hold onto that lead until John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) hit a triple from way downtown. The three sparked confidence within the Eagles, who used two Brenegan threes to build up to an eight-point advantage. C-N never trailed after that point.
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"I put a lot of hours into shooting the basketball," Brenegan said. "I gotta be grateful for the opportunity I'm given and my teammates and coaches putting trust in me."
That isn't to say the Bears laid down their swords as Lenoir-Rhyne fought back, tying the game thrice at 88, 91, and 94. C-N hit the century mark with under a minute to go with a free throw from Hubbard pushing the lead up to five.
L-R's Ziare Wells hit two free throws with just six seconds left to bring the game within two. Hubbard hit a free throw from the other end of the court to bring the lead back to three for the Eagles.
The Bears' Julian Dozier drove down the right wing, where he was grabbed by C-N's Matt Bilbrey (Crossville, Tenn.) before putting up a three-point shot. The foul was called on the floor, sending Bears' head coach Brent Owen into a frenzy. Dozier made the first free throw before intentionally missing the second with an attempted offensive rebound, but the ball wound up in the hands of the Eagles.
Browder went to the line to put the game to bed, sinking both to go up two possessions and a half-court three missed from L-R trying to draw the foul as the horn sounded.
"Confidence. That's what I'm repeating in my head, 'confidence, confidence, confidence.'" Browder said. "I've been in that situation before; all of our teammates have been in this situation; we have supreme trust in all of us, no matter who's at the free throw line."
The Eagles outscored Lenoir-Rhyne in the second half 61-56, shooting 51.6% from the field.
Carson-Newman ranked first in the SAC preseason poll, defended home court for the second time this season, and exceeded 100 points. The Eagles are now 1-0 in conference play, hosting arch-rival Tusculum and Catawba before next hitting the road.
To keep up to date with Carson-Newman Men's Basketball, follow us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram or Facebook at Carson-Newman Athletics.
