VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Fifth-seeded Carson-Newman (20-11) held second-seeded and No. 9/6 Queens to a season-low 33.9 percent shooting effort, but the SAC regular season champs forced 18 Carson-Newman turnovers and used an early 12-2 scoring run to build and maintain a lead while securing a 69-59 win Sunday at Timmons Arena.
The Royals earned their first SAC tournament title since 2017 while snapping a string of three straight title game losses. The Eagles see their string of back-to-back title game wins come to a close. Carson-Newman had been unbeaten in SAC title games under head coach Chuck Benson.
"Congrats to Queens," head coach Chuck Benson said. "They clearly deserved this win today. Our guys fought, played hard and stayed unified, we just weren't as smart with our performance and execution. Good luck to them and good luck to the representatives from our conference who go on the play in the tournament."
Carson-Newman only shot 31.7 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers. The Royals had a 16-8 edge in points off turnovers.
The Royals had 11 steals, the first time an Eagle opponent had double-digit steals since Coker on Nov. 21, 2021.
While the Eagles struggled with ball security issues early. Kenny Dye hit back-to-back threes before AJ McKee and Jay'den Turner connected on three straight layups to give the Royals a double-digit lead eight minutes into the game.
The Royals stretched the lead to 13 at the halftime break, it matched the largest halftime deficit Carson-Newman had faced the season.
After trailing by as many as 19 in the second half, Carson-Newman trimmed the deficit to eight after a 9-0 run with 78 seconds left, but the Eagles never could knock down threes to draw closer in bunches.
Bryant Thomas (Charlotte, N.C.) had a monster night. He produced a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. The 15 boards a SAC Championship Game record and the first 15-rebound performance by an Eagle since Shaun Jones 15 boards against Newberry in the SAC quarterfinals in 2017.
"We collectively had a slow start," Benson said. "BT had a bit of a slow start too, but he still does what he did. All these guys know that if you have a strong enough relationship, the truth can be told. I told him we had to have more and he certainly gave it to us. I'm proud of him and I'm thankful that we have one more year with him."
Ren Dyer (Weaverville, N.C.) and Tripp Davis (Nashville, Tenn.) both had 10 points for the Eagles other two double-digit scorers.
Jamari Smith paced Queens with 18 points. Kenny Dye added in 16, while Quan McCluney had 10.
Queens converted on 23-of-36 free throws, while Carson-Newman made 17-of-26 attempts in a game marked by a combined 51 fouls.
Barring an improbable selection to the NCAA regionals, the loss finishes the careers of Dima Bykov, EJ Bush and Tripp Davis.
Davis and Bush both finished their Carson-Newman careers as members of the Eagles' 1,000-point club. Bush finishes his Carson-Newman career with 1,006 points and his college career with 1,901 points and 940 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Davis had 1,039 points at C-N and 1,293 points for his college playing career.
"Those seniors are special and this team, I've truly enjoyed them," Benson said. "It's one thing to win games and win a championship, but we have guys who have done nothing but represent our institution and this program in a first class manner. For who they are as human beings, I am so fortunate to have been with this group of guys for the last two seasons. These guys were committed to one another and love each other. It's really a bitter sweet moment for us."
On the off chance the Eagles make the regional, that fate will be revealed in the NCAA's selection show Sunday night at 10:30 p.m.
