VIDEO: Chuck Benson Postgame radio interview
VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Trey Hubbard Interview
VIDEO: Chuck Benson postgame TV interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Fifth-seeded Carson-Newman (21-10) reset its own South Atlantic Conference Tournament record for field goal efficiency, scorching the nets to the tune of 68.9 percent shooting, en route to a 104-95 win over fourth-seeded UVA Wise (18-11) in the quarterfinals of the SAC tournament Wednesday afternoon at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center.
The 68.9 percent shooting mark breaks the Eagles' own record. C-N made 66.12 percent of its shots in the quarterfinals of the 2009 tournament against Lenoir-Rhyne. It's the second-best shooting night in school history to a 69.6 percent effort against Anderson on Jan. 18, 2017.
☑️ best shooting night in @SAC_Athletics tournament history
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) March 5, 2025
☑️ second career double-double for points and assists for @TreyHubbard_
��️punched to the @SAC_Athletics semifinals @CN_Hoops x #TalonsUp x #GMTE pic.twitter.com/a2SdgdHd89
"Our guys this whole year have proven to be very capable of being consistent shot-makers," head coach Chuck Benson said. "The consistency of shot-making is one of those things that every coach in America wants. Right now, we are just blessed to have that right now. We got a lot of shots up yesterday and today in the facility. Our guys went out there and shot the ball with confidence. Hopefully we can continue to do that into the semifinals tomorrow."
The Eagles were remarkable both from the field and from deep in the second half. C-N connected on 23-of-32 shots after halftime (71.9 percent) and 10-of-13 threes (76.9 percent). Carson-Newman was 17-of-26 from beyond the arc overall (65.4 percent), for its third-best shooting performance from deep all-time.
UVA Wise led by nine, 42-33 with 5:07 to go in the first half following a Zy'Ever Wingfield and-one and three free throws from Calen Lightford. That's when C-N caught fire and the Cavs went cold.
C-N ripped off a 22-2 run spanning the halftime break. The Eagles scored the final 12 points of the first half to get up 48-44 at the break. John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) scored the final five points on a fast break layup and a three.
Then, C-N burst out of the gates in the second half. After Wingfield cut it to two with a jumper on the Cavs' first possession, C-N proceeded to score 10 more straight, headlined by back-to-back triples from Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) and Trey Hubbard (Charlotte, N.C.).
C-N's lead blossomed to 12 and the Eagles wouldn't relinquish that lead. Wise got as close as four the rest of the second half, but C-N only missed two shots consecutively three times the duration of the game. C-N had answer points at the ready anytime Wise made a run.
Braden Ilic (Morristown, Tenn.) led all five starters in double-digits for C-N. He had 25 points and six rebounds on 11-of-12 shooting. He was a perfect three-for-three from beyond the arc.
Moving ��@CN_Hoops x #TalonsUp x #GMTE pic.twitter.com/Z90oCtA3pX
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) March 5, 2025
Brenegan had 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Brenegan drilled his 89th three of the season – the third most for a single-season in school history.
Hubbard turned in the fifth double-double of his career and the second with points and assists. He had 17 points and 12 dimes, one off his career high.
"I knew he was doing a good job," Benson said. "I told him to touch paint and be confident. He did that. He has to do a postgame interview after handing out 12 assists."
Zhao finished with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a 2-for-2 mark from deep.
Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.) chased a double-double with 11 points and eight boards.
UVA Wise got a career night from Patrick Shelley, who led the Cavs with a career-high 26 points. He was 11-of-19 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Wingfield also finished with more than 20, going for 24. He was 10-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-6 from deep.
Calen Lightford and Lav Cvetkovic' rounded out the Cavs double-digit scorers. Lightford had 12 and Cvetkovic' 10. Cvetkovic's 10 was inefficient. He was 2-of-11 from the field and 2-for-8 from three.
Oh, it's like that @TreyHubbard_ @CN_Hoops x #TalonsUp x #GMTE pic.twitter.com/QVyAG3vbpd
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) March 5, 2025
C-N held first-team All-SAC selection Bradley Dean to seven points. He was 3-for-8 from the field.
"We made a big deal about making it tough on Dean," Benson said. "We knew he would find opportunities, but Wingfield and Shelley did a great job stepping up. That crew wanted to keep playing. Got to give them credit for stepping up and making shots."
UVA Wise was not poor offensively. The Cavs only turned the ball over once and shot 47.9 percent from the field. Wise also knocked own 13-of-34 threes.
C-N owned a 35-22 advantage on the glass. For all C-N's scorching shooting, the Eagles had an 11-8 advantage in second chance points.
The Eagles advance to the semifinals where they will square off with top-seeded Lincoln Memorial at noon Thursday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 11:45 a.m. with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
