Carson-Newman Game Notes - Newberry Road

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Lady Eagles (14-13, 11-10 South Atlantic Conference) women's basketball team will travel to face the Newberry Wolves (15-10, 11-10 South Atlantic Conference) at Eleazer Arena in Newberry, S.C., on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

The Lady Eagles have lost eight of their last 10 games, and Saturday's contest marks the regular season finale for Carson-Newman.

"It just seems like the ball just hasn't bounced our way, we haven't gotten the lion's share of the breaks, have had a lot of one possession games that have gone the other way and it just seems like it's all piled up to where we've lost eight of our last 10," said Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey. "Newberry was picked to win the conference, and they've had their share of bad luck this year. They beat us over here, but I felt like it was a one possession game up until a point but they made a few plays at the end. They're a very good basketball team."

The Lady Eagles are coming off of a 80-71 loss at Lincoln Memorial last Wednesday at Tex Turner Arena. Carson-Newman was led in scoring by sophomore Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.) with her 15 points, hitting three 3-pointers in the contest. Junior Whitney Kyle (Jefferson City, Tenn.) posted a career-high 14 points, as did junior Lashawnda Peacher (Springfield, Tenn.) who has now scored in double-figures the past four games for Carson-Newman.

Peacher also collected Carson-Newman's fourth double-double of the season with her 14 points and 10 rebounds, and it is the first double-double for her this season.

Earlier this year Newberry defeated Carson-Newman 83-75 at Holt Fieldhouse on Jan. 25. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for Carson-Newman, and was the start of the six-game losing streak for the Lady Eagles. Sophomore Jai Jai McLaughlin (Knoxville, Tenn.), recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. After a first half that was back-and-forth, the Lady Eagles got off to a solid start in the second half, and the Lady Eagles led 41-37 with 16:48 remaining in the game.

Newberry then began its best run of the game, a 13-0 stretch over the next three minutes to grow the lead to 50-41 with 13:36 to play. The Lady Eagles would never lead again in the contest, although Carson-Newman did get the game within a point, trailing 62-61 with 6:47 to play, then tying the contest at 65 with 5:30 left to play. The Wolves took over for the rest of the game, eventually leading by as much as nine points thanks to free throws, and won the game by a final score of 83-75.

The Wolves, coached by Sean Page, are tied with Carson-Newman and Anderson for fifth place in the SAC standings at 11-10. The Wolves have lost three of their last four games, and enter Saturday's game on a two-game losing streak, dropping contests at Mars Hill and at Wingate. Newberry is led by Haylee Lepaio, who leads the SAC in scoring by averaging 19 points per contest.

Newberry does play well at home, with the Wolves being 9-3 overall inside Eleazer Arena. While Carson-Newman leads the overall series 22-17, Newberry has won the past three meetings.

Saturday's game will be carried on the Eagle Sports Network's flagship station WPFT-FM 106.3 FM, with coverage beginning at 1:45 p.m. with "The Countdown to Tipoff," and live audio is also available on www.cneagles.com.