JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Mars Hill College closed the game on a 22-9 run to rally from a late four-point deficit and top the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles, 87-78, on Wednesday night in Holt Fieldhouse.
The Lions scored on five straight possessions to rally from a 69-65 deficit with 4:26 to play, sending C-N to its fourth consecutive South Atlantic Conference loss.
With the win, Mars Hill improves to 9-6 overall and 3-4 in SAC play. C-N falls to 8-7 and 2-5 in league play.
A normally stingy C-N defense broke down late as the Lions made four straight field goals to grab the lead late.
Mars Hill's Ansley Ricker hit a pair of three-pointers and Amanda Booker put back her own missed layup to fuel the late run with an 8-0 spurt.
C-N got a runner from Megan Hunter with 2:15 left to cut the Lion lead to 75-72, but a layup from Armeka Booker and a turnover by C-N's Rechelle Dye helped Mars Hill put the game away.
Ricker carried Mars Hill with her long-range shooting. She made 4-of-7 three pointers and finished with 18 points. As a team, Mars Hill shot 43 percent (9-of-21) from three-point range.
Mars Hill took a two-point lead at the half behind a hot shooting first half. The Lions hit 13-of-27 shots from the floor, including 4-of-9 from behind the arc, to shoot 48 percent for the half and take a 35-33 lead into the locker room.
Mars Hill took advantage at the free throw line, shooting 82 percent (22-of-27) as a team. C-N shot just 53 percent (16-of-30). Tyler Carson made all 10 of her attempts at the line and had a game high 23 points.
Booker added 18 points and five rebounds for the Lions.
Zoriah Williams led the Lady Eagles another double. She finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The senior also had four steals. Sophomore Shannon Depew added 14 points and eight boards.
Carson-Newman shot 46 percent from the floor, but was undone by its poor free throw shooting and 25 turnovers.
Carson-Newman returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Anderson (S.C.) in South Atlantic Conference action. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. in Jefferson City.
