Carson-Newman Women's Basketball Game Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The 2014-15 women's basketball season is not yet a week old and the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles (2-0) begin South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday night against the Tusculum Pioneers (0-2) in Greeneville, Tenn at 6 p.m.

The Lady Eagles look to pick up where they left off over the weekend as the defense shut down USC Aiken and Lander in the second half. Carson-Newman yielded 18-for-70 shooting, 26 percent in the two second halves including 4-for-19, 21 percent, from the three-point line.

A year ago, Carson-Newman conceded 39 percent shooting from the floor including 33 percent from distance. It is a spot where the Lady Eagles have relied heavily through two exhibitions and two regular season games thus far.

It has also helped Carson-Newman overcome late game deficits including a Lander lead for the entire second half until a three-pointer by junior guard Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.) gave her team the lead for good.

"Those kids all played last year and have been through the battles," head coach Mike Mincey said. "We've had games where we had to come from behind. For whatever reason, when we are in Holt Fieldhouse, we know that we are never out of a game."

Burstrom is the team's leading scorer after putting up 16 points against USC Aiken and 15 points as seven of her eight field goals this year have been three-pointers.

In Mincey's career, his team has won the first SAC game each time in the three years Mincey has been a head coach including a 5-0 start to the conference play in 2013-14.

Carson-Newman and Tusculum tangle for the 65^th time Wednesday night as the Lady Eagles hold a 49-16 advantage in the all-time series and won both meetings a season ago.

In the last game, Carson-Newman took an 88-72 win over Tusculum in Greeneville as Jai Jai McLaughlin (Knoxville, Tenn.) recorded the first triple-double this century by a Lady Eagle with 10 points 14 rebounds and a Carson-Newman Division II record 13 assists.

McLaughlin was one of four players to score in double figures in the contest as the Lady Eagles shot 46 percent from the floor while allowing a 32 percent field goal percentage from the Pioneers.

Tusculum lost 71-70 against Lees-McRae and 67-58 to King (Tenn.) to start the season. Rainey Story has led the Pioneers averaging 17.5 points per game on 59 percent shooting and 10 rebounds per contest.

Matsy Ozblartson will have the call for the Eagle Sports Network on 106.3 WPFT-FM beginning with "The AEC Countdown to Tip-off" at 5:45 p.m.

- CN -