Chuck Benson postgame interview

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum (2-15, 1-10 South Atlantic Conference) snapped a 13-game skid, the longest losing streak of the modern era for the Pioneers, with a 71-64 upset of Carson-Newman (10-5, 7-4 SAC) Wednesday night at Pioneer Arena. 

The victory for TC also snaps a four-game losing streak to Carson-Newman and gives the Pioneers their first South Atlantic Conference victory of the year. 

"We looked so uptight and nervous tonight," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. ". We were begging guys to just play basketball.  They were so passive in every way about this game.  I wish I had an awesome coaching tidbit, but we seemed to be scared out of our minds tonight and I can't explain it."

The Eagles shot 51 percent from the field, but only made three (23-20) more shots than the Pioneers did who connected on 35.1 percent of their attempts (20-for-57).  However, the Eagles were just three-of-14 from three while the Pioneers connected on seven-of-19 threes. 

Antoine Davis (Rustburg, Va.) had 20 points, while Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.) notched a career high with 12. 

Jalen Walker and Addison Flynn led the way for the Pioneers with 16 each. 

The loss pushes the Eagles down to third place in a tie with Wingate and Anderson in the SAC standings.  Newberry rests a game in front of the Eagles in second, while Lincoln Memorial is three games in front of C-N in first place. 

The implications for the SAC standings make the loss loom larger for Benson. 

"I don't know their dynamic, but this is a big game to both schools and we knew they would come out here and do well," Benson said. "In some sick way, I'm happy for (Tusculum coach) Mike Jones, because nobody wants to go through a losing streak like they did.  I'm happy for those guys, but obviously I wish we could have gotten this win here tonight."

The Eagles and Newberry play Saturday at 4 p.m. in what amounts to a battle for second place in the league standings.  Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 3:45 p.m. with the Countdown to Tipoff on 106.3 ESPN Radio The Zone (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.