Anderson, S.C. – The Anderson University women's basketball team (8-7, 8-3 SAC) did not score a point in the final 2:14, eventually relinquishing a seven point lead to fall to top-tier South Atlantic Conference foe Carson-Newman (11-3, 9-2 SAC), 67-64, on Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.
"We battled hard the entire game and just came up a little short," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "We are still playing with a small roster and I am very proud of our effort."
Anderson's Shameka McNeill scored a game-high 23 points, while transfer junior Brittney Stafford netted 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Trojans. Junior Britney Bailey chipped in 12 points and ripped down seven rebounds, with junior Nelliah Wilson grabbing seven boards and dropping in five points on the afternoon.
The Eagles placed four players in double-digit scoring with Campbell Penland scoring a team high 19 points. C-N's Lindsey Taylor scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Eagles. Guards Addison Byrd and Braelyn Wykle dropped in 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Carson-Newman outscored the Trojans 21-17 in the first period, leading by as many as eight points with 1:14 remaining. Anderson was able to close the gap to four points after Wilson and McNeill each hit a layup in the final 47 seconds of the period.
Anderson bounced back in the second quarter behind solid defense. The Black and Gold won the period 18-6 to head into halftime with a, 35-27, lead.
Despite holding the largest lead of the game, 44-33, with 6:08 left to go in the third quarter, the Eagles were able to slowly claw away at AU's lead and pull within three after three quarters of action.
After the Eagles tied the game, 48-48, with 9:08 remaining, the Trojans used a 7-0 burst to give them a seven point lead with 6:40 to go. The Eagles were able to pull within four, before McNeill's three-point basket pushed AU's lead back to seven. McNeill's basket proved to be the final points scored by the Trojans over the final 2:14, giving the Eagles just enough time to overcome their seven point deficit to overtake the Black and Gold in the final 10 seconds of the game, 67-64.
Anderson will to action when it travels to South Atlantic Conference opponent Queens on Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 pm.
