MARS HILL, N.C. – Ish Sanders (Cleveland, Tenn.) burst forth from a shooting slump for a season high 31 points as Carson-Newman (4-1, 2-1 South Atlantic Conference) rebounded for a 94-80 road win over Mars Hill (0-5, 0-3 SAC).

Sanders was averaging 11 points and 25 percent from the field over the three games before the Mars Hill contest.  He connected on 10-of-16 field goals and six-of-nine threes

He scored 12 points in a row to spark a 27-13 scoring spurt for C-N that turned an eight-point deficit into a double digit lead during an eight minute stretch spanning the half time break.

Carson-Newman head coach Chuck Benson said Sanders was the Eagles lone spark for a deceptively poor performance.

"This was a complete embarrassment and in all honesty we deserved to lose," Benson said. "I don't know what the problem was exactly, but the solution was Ish Sanders.  If he doesn't come back to life, we lose this game."

The Eagles connected on 58 percent (30-52) of their shots and 59 percent of their threes (13-22).  But Benson was displeased with 21 turnovers and an overall malaise to the Eagles' performance. 

Mars Hill scored 30 points off the Eagles' turnovers, while C-N converted Mars Hill's 21 giveaways into 25 points.

"That performance was not what this program is going to be about. Period," Benson said. "There was a pervasive selfishness and a lack of team first that was evident today.  There was a sense of entitlement that is not what we are about."

Antoine Davis (Rustburg, Va.) pumped in 24 points on eight-of-12 shooting, including three-of-five from deep. Carson Brooks (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Kevin Leatherwood (Charlottesville, Va.) followed suit with 11 a piece. 

"We made some shots and we can make some shots," Benson said. "Every other thing about this game is not enough to win another game this year."

Mars Hill had four players score 16 or more.  The Lions were led by Thomas Anderson's 17.  Mars Hill hit 45.6 percent of its shots, including 10-of-29 from three-point land.

The Lions started four-for-six from deep en route to the Lions' eight-point first half advantage.  Mars Hill would make just six of their next 23 three-point field goal attempts.

The Eagles return home after the two-game road trip to face Lees-McRae.  Tipoff Monday is scheduled for 7 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network beginning at 6:45 p.m. with the Countdown to Tipoff on 06.3 ESPN Radio The Zone (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. 

-CN-