Anderson, S.C.— Anderson University women's basketball team used a spark from the bench to overcame a slow start and hot shooting in the opening period to overtake South Atlantic Conference opponent Lenoir-Rhyne, 70-64, on Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center. The Trojans move to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in South Atlantic Conference play, while the Bears slide to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
"Tonight was one of those nights that shots just were not falling for us early," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "We had to figure out another way to score and it took us a little time to start getting higher percent shots."
"I have got to give credit to our bench who stepped up to the plate and brought some high energy tonight scoring 44 points," exclaimed Barbaree. "I'm not sure I ever remember getting 44 points from our bench in the four years that I've been here!"
"I'm just really proud of the effort of all the girls, including the starters, said Barbaree. "They didn't see their shots go in, but they were cheering just as hard when other players were on the court and that's the definition of a team. It was definitely a team win tonight!"
KEY STATS
- Lenoir-Rhyne shot 62.5% (five-of-eight) from behind the arc in the opening period, while AU shot 29.4% (five-of-17) from the field.
- Anderson's bench outscored LR's bench, 44-11.
- Anderson outrebounded the Bears 40-36.
- The Black and Gold hit 15-of-22 (68.2%) at the free throw line, while Lenoir-Rhyne went 7-for-11 (63.6%).
KEY TROJANS
- Britney Bailey scored a team-high 11 points, six rebounds, one assists and two steals.
- Ashley Berry contributed 10 points, two rebounds and four assists.
- McKenzie Gadson had eight points, four rebounds and one assist.
- Alexis Tate chipped in four points, ripped down seven rebounds and dished out three assists.
- Kaitlin Bailey knocked down nine points, in just five minutes of action, including going 3-for-4 at the line.
- Xan Rowland drained 3-of-6 3-point baskets and dished out one assist, playing a career-high 19 minutes.
NOTES
- Head Coach Jonathon Barbaree recorded his 100th AU win.
- B. Bailey's 11 points were a career-high for the 6-0 foot junior.
- Anderson scored a season-high 70 points.
- The game featured four ties and five lead changes.
- Anderson won its 36th straight regular season home game, with its last home loss occurring on Jan. 20, 2018 versus LR.
FIRST QUARTER
- Lenoir-Rhyne outscored AU 26-11, shooting a blazing 62.5% from behind the arc.
- AU went 0-3 from 3-point land, while shooting just 29.4 percent from the field (five-of-17).
SECOND QUARTER
- The Trojans held LR scoreless for the first 4:40 to pull within three points, 26-23.
- For the quarter, AU outscored the Bears, 27-10, to overtake the lead at the half, 38-36.
THIRD QUARTER
- Gadson's quick layup to begin the third frame put the Trojans up, 40-36.
- Over the next five minutes of action, LR used an 11-4 run to take a five-point lead.
- The Saints tied the game, 40-40, with 5:43 to go in the third stanza.
- AU's B. Bailey and Taylor Hair hit back-to-back 3's to put the Black and Gold up, 52-51 with 2:13 left to play in the quarter.
- LR's Hanna McClung scored the final three points of the period on a made 3-point shot to give the Bears a, 54-52, lead heading into the final period.
FOURTH QUARTER
-A Rowland 3-point basket put the Trojans up for the final time, 55-54.
- Ashley Berry's 3-point basket followed by a pair of free throws by Gadson, the lead quickly became six. Berry's driving layup and Samantha Michel made free throw gave AU a nine point lead with 4:45 to play.
- The Trojans enjoyed their largest lead on a made Gadson layup with 52 ticks left.
-Anderson's 3-of-6 shooting from the foul line, with under a minute to play, was enough to secure the 70-64 victory.
UP NEXT
-The Trojans begin a three game road swing with their first stop in Jefferson City, Tenn. to square off with preseason favorite, Carson-Newman. Tip-off is slated for 2 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 9th.
