VIDEO: Mike Mincey Interview

VIDEO: Kailyn Brooks Interview

VIDEO: Allison Hodge Interview

VIDEO: Game Highlights

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A strong second half defensive effort propelled the Carson-Newman Eagles (2-0) a 66-57 victory over the Lander Bearcats (0-2) to give head coach Mike Mincey his 50^th career win as a head coach.

Lander shot 58 percent from the floor in the first half, but a stifling zone defense held the Bearcats to 7-for-35 shooting from the field in the second half as the visiting group scored just 17 points.

"Lander is a really good team first of all," Mincey said. "We had trouble guarding them in the first half and they were getting all kinds of open looks. We had to go to the zone late in the first half just out of necessity because I really don't like zones. Our kids did just a great job of marking their shooters and making sure when they caught the ball there was someone there."

Carson-Newman found itself trailing 40-33 at the halftime break and four turnovers in the first five minutes had the Eagles on the wrong side of the scoreboard 44-38. A pair of free throws from junior guard Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.) pulled the Lady Eagles within a point at 44-43 with 12:56 to play.

Lander responded with a 7-1 run to take a 51-44 lead with 9:58 to play, but an already stingy defense held the Bearcats to 2-for-14 shooting down the stretch to allow the offense to take over the game.

The Lady Eagles chipped away at the lead and a three-pointer from Burstrom with 3:37 to play gave the home team its first lead since 26-25 with 7:38 in the first half.

Mincey's group never look back at that point in the ball game as the Lady Eagles used a 16-3 run to close out a 66-57 victory. Carson-Newman went 11-for-14 from the free throw in that span including burying the final eight foul shots.

"I'm really glad we had these games," Mincey said. "We can only grow from this with the way we have been able to pull out these victories the last two days in close games. People have had to make plays and go to the line and make free throws."

Three players finished in double figures for Carson-Newman led by Burstrom's 15 points as she was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 15.5 points.

Sophomore guard Kailyn Brooks (Lafayette, Tenn.) had 12 points, a career-high five rebounds and matched a career-best with four assists as she joined Burstrom on the All-Tournament team.

"We are a lot more comfortable than we were last year," Brooks said. "I think we have a lot more experience on the floor. We just have those people that can keep their head and do what they need to do at the end of the game to win."

Freshman forward Allison Hodge (Blaine, Tenn.) had 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting in her second collegiate game.

"I'm really excited," Hodge said. "It's a good experience to get those two games off of my chest and get out there and realize that I can compete at this level. My teammates have made it really easy. They have welcomed me in and pushing me in practice and pushing me in games."

Junior guard Jai Jai McLaughlin (Knoxville, Tenn.) was also on the All-Tournament team as she finished the game with six points, six rebounds and four assists.

Lander had three players finish in double figures led by 13 points and seven rebounds from Bre Crum who was held scoreless in the second half.

The Lady Eagles take on South Atlantic Conference foe Tusculum Wednesday at 6 p.m. looking to improve to 3-0 on the year.

SAC/Peachbelt Conference Challenge All-Tournament Team

Carson-Newman

Tatum Burstrom

Jai Jai McLaughlin

Kailyn Brooks

LMU

Kiara Rawls

Stephanie Smith

Aisjah Lee

USC Aiken

Mackenzie Reese

Mariah Durian

Lander

Bre Crum

Aarika Judge

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