Anderson, S.C.—Paced by sophomore Jalyn Spurlin's career high 20 points and a solid team effort, Anderson University women's basketball team erased a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Newberry, 65-57, on Tuesday evening at the Abney Athletic Center. The Black and Gold improve to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in South Atlantic Conference play, while the Wolves fall to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
"It was a great team effort tonight," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "We have showed that we know how to fight back. We got better defensively as the game went on, but we need to learn to start that way."
"You will see all year that different players will step up for us," explained Barbaree. "It was good to see some young players play key minutes"
"We will keep working through the break and hopefully clean up some more things," added Barbaree.
KEY STATS
- Anderson shot 33.9 percent from the field on the day, Newberry shot 37.1 percent
- The Trojans shot 15.4 percent (two-for-13) from three-point range, the Wolves shot 31.6 percent from beyond the arc (six-for-19)
- The Trojans held a 45-41 edge in rebounds.
- Anderson turned the ball only eight times, while Newberry had 16 miscues.
- The Black and Gold hit 23-of-35 (65.7%) at the free throw line, while Newberry went 5-for-6 (83.3%).
KEY TROJANS
- Jalyn Spurlin had 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and a block.
- McKenzie Gadson contributed 13 points and five rebounds.
- Taylor Hair scored nine points, grabbed three rebounds and one blocked shot.
- Samantha Michel had eight points, 10 rebounds and two steals.
- Britney Bailey chipped in eight points, pulled down nine rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot.
NOTES
- Spurlin's 20 points and six rebounds were both a career-high.
- Michel's and Bailey's 10 and nine rebounds were career-highs, respectively.
- Newberry led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter of action.
- Anderson won its 33rd straight regular season home game.
FIRST QUARTER
- Newberry outscored Anderson 22-13.
- Spurlin scored AU's first four points of the game on two foul shots and a layup.
- The Wolves built a nine-point lead at the 5:24 mark
SECOND QUARTER
- The Wolves pushed the lead to 14 points on a jumper by Courtney Virgo with 8:08 left in the second quarter.
- The Trojans were able to cut the lead to nine on a Hair layup and again on two made foul shots by Gadson, 34-25
- Bailey's offensive rebound and put back as time expired in the quarter brought AU within seven.
THIRD QUARTER
- Low scoring third quarter with the Wolves only making three baskets.
- Anderson made four shots, including Gadson's huge 3-point basket and layup over the final 2:17 to pull the Trojans within one.
FOURTH QUARTER
-The Wolves were able to push the lead to five after a layup by Kelsey Brett.
- Michel's two made foul shots brought the Trojans within a bucket with 7:33 to play.
- After trading baskets, Michel's layup tied the game at, 47-47.
- Spurlin's layup put the Trojans ahead for the first time, since the 8:51 mark in the opening period.
-Newberry pulled within two after a 3-point basket by Payton Cronen.
-A Spurlin layup and Gadson 3-point basket with 1:22 gave the Trojans a seven point cushion.
-The Trojans went 5-of-6 from the charity stripe over the final minute.
-AU outscored the Wolves 16-10 over the final 5:27 minutes of action to secure the, 65-57 win.
UP NEXT
-The Trojans will host Limestone on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 pm.
