VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
VIDEO: EJ Bush Interview
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HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Carson-Newman (0-1, 0-1 SAC) coughed it up 15 times and started 6-of-22 from the field in the first half as Coker (1-0, 1-0 SAC) built a double-digit lead and stiff-armed C-N for a 67-53 win Saturday afternoon at the DeLoach Center.
The Eagles found themselves down 35-19 at the halftime break. It was Carson-Newman's lowest offensive output in a half since scoring 20 in the opening half against Wingate on March 2, 2013.
"Those turnovers led to a domino effect of adverse situations," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "You get back to one factor and that's the turnovers. We outrebounded them, we got to the free throw line more often in spite of intentionally fouling late. I'm happy about those two things, but the turnovers were too much to overcome."
Coker turned those 15 first-half turnovers into a 10-1 edge in points off turnovers. Of the 15 turnovers, eight came off Coker live-ball steals, and four were from offensive fouls.
"Both teams started sluggishly," Benson said. "That's not that surprising given what we've gone through as a world these last nine months. Then, couple that with not having any sort of tune up (in the form of scrimmages, exhibitions or non-conference games). I was excited to see what we would be like, but I did not expect us to have 15 first-half turnvoers."
Coker built its edge with 12-1 and 9-1 first-half runs. The Eagles struggled from the field early going 1-for-13 from the field to start the contest.
While the Eagles' offense struggled, C-N's defense performed better. Carson-Newman forced 10 second half turnovers and the Eagles' outrebounded the Cobras 33-27. Carson-Newman held Coker to 44.2 percent shooting. That figure was influenced to Coker's favor as the Cobras made seven fast break layups that were the direct result of live-ball perimeter turnovers. Take out those seven cherry picks, and the Eagles limited Coker to 35.5 percent shooting.
"Had this been a close game, our defensive numbers would have been really good," Benson said. "Our defensive rebounding was good. Our field goal percentage defense wasn't great, but when you factor in that they had six or eight steals or deflections that led to wide open layups, it could have been pretty good. If we take care of the basketball, our defensive numbers would have been even better."
Dakota Jennings led all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Chandler Lindsey added in 12 for the Cobras while Malcolm Kennedy had 10, going 4-for-12 from the field and 2-for-9 from three.
Carson-Newman shot just 34 percent from the field, the first time it had shot below 35 percent since Tusculum limited the Eagles to 32.7 percent shooting on Feb. 19, 2019.
"This is the reason why you typically have three scrimmages before the season starts," Benson said. "Nobody sees those scrimmages and they are frequently horrible. This just has to be where we start this year."
Ren Dyer (Weaverville, N.C.) was Carson-Newman's lone double-digit scorer. The freshman had 11.
Dyer is the first freshman with a double-digit debut in a season-opening game for C-N since 2017 when Cam Andre (Kissimmee, Fla.) had 10 off the bench in the Eagles' 82-78 season-opening win over Lander.
Tyler Bowens (Greenville, S.C.) had a solid debut with nine points and seven boards.
"There were some guys who played well," Benson said. "Ren Dyer and Tyler Bowens had good days and will play for a long time here. They were bright spots and started to figure some things out late."
The loss snapped the Eagles' 11-game win streak in the series over Coker.
The Eagles return to action Tuesday at Wingate. Tipoff from Cuddy Arena is set for 4 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 3:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on The Mountain 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
