JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – No. 21 Carson-Newman (19-4, 8-4 SAC) took advantage of a career-high performance from freshman forward Tasha Phillips (Clarkrange, Tenn.) as the Lady Eagles defeated Tusculum (14-9, 7-6 SAC), 99-90, in overtime at Holt Fieldhouse. With the victory, C-N remains in the top three in the South Atlantic Conference standings.

“For the first time in about three weeks we had somebody play with a lot of heart and effort for the last five minutes of the first half on through the rest of the game,” said Head Coach Dean Walsh. “I know it sounds weird when you allow 90 points, but our defense was big for us tonight. It got us back in the game in the second half.”

The Pioneers led early thanks to a 10-2 run in the first half that produced a 24-14 lead with 7:35 to go before the break. After Carson-Newman cut the cut the lead to five, Tusculum outscored the Lady Eagles 9-2 over a two minute period late in the period. Phillips scored the final five points of the half to cut the TC lead to 38-33.

After the intermission, Phillips continued where she left off, with C-N’s first six points of the second half. A 19-6 Lady Eagle run that covered 4:31 gave them their largest lead during regulation at 58-54. The two teams battled back and forth for the final 11 minutes as there were six ties and two lead changes.

A layup by TC’s Catherine Hintz (Hastings, Minn.) with 16 seconds remaining knotted the score at 76 while Lady Eagle senior guard Ashley Kyle’s (Jefferson City, Tenn.) jumper from the elbow with one second remaining failed to fall, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, the two teams traded baskets until Carson-Newman went on a 10-0 run to break the game open and take a 91-80 lead. The Lady Eagles would eventually lead by as much as 13 with 24 seconds remaining on two free throws by junior guard Mandy Mendenhall (Kingston Springs, Tenn.). Though Tusculum hit back-to-back three pointers, Carson-Newman held on for the nine-point win.

Phillips finished the night with 27 points, the most for a Lady Eagle this season, and added eight rebounds and three blocks. Freshman guard Candis Clear (Memphis, Tenn.) had 22 points, connecting on four attempts from behind the arc.

Kyle had 17 points and five assists while Mendenhall posted a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and chipped in four steals. Senior forward Shari Buford (Hampton, Ga.) had 14 points and five rebounds as well for the Lady Eagles.

“Tasha did a great job. She played like the state tournament MVP that we recruited,” added Walsh. “Candis Clear did a great job. Shari had a better second half, Mandy Mendenhall played great defense and rebounded even though her shot wasn’t falling. Ashley Kyle didn’t shoot well but still came up big for us with her free throws and assists.”


Tusculum was paced by Jasmine Gunn (Nashville, Tenn.) with a game-high 28 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Brittni Oliver (Kokomo, Ind.) had 16 points while Jasmine Parker (Rex, Ga.) and Kat Spears (Memphis, Tenn.) chipped in 14 and 12, respectively.

Carson-Newman will honor its three seniors on Wednesday when the Tornados of Brevard visit Holt Fieldhouse. Tipoff for the SAC matchup is set for 6:00 p.m.

-Joe Matthews, C-N Sports Information