VIDEO: Mike Mincey Interview

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman forward Allison Hodge (Blaine, Tenn.) poured in a career-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting to lead the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles (3-0, 1-0 South Atlantic Conference) to an 88-79 victory over the Tusculum Pioneers (0-3, 0-1 SAC) Wednesday night at Pioneer Arena.

"I expected her to play well," head coach Mike Mincey said. "I didn't expect her to play that well. She has just continued to get better and better throughout the preseason and through these games early. I'm glad she came to play tonight. We might not have won the game if she didn't put up 24 points."

After Carson-Newman had the lead for the first seven minutes, a three-pointer by Bria Robinson tied the score at 16 as the Pioneers took control of the first half. A 14-5 run by the Pioneers over the next six minutes saw the home group get its largest lead of the game at 30-21.

It was at that point that the Lady Eagles began to chip away at the lead. A three-pointer by sophomore guard Kailyn Brooks (Lafayette, Tenn.) tied the score at 40. The final basket of the half from senior center Jassmine Franklin (Lexington, Ky.) gave Carson-Newman a 43-42 halftime lead.

Both teams shot over 50 percent as Carson-Newman went 16-for-29 from the floor and 8-for-14 from beyond the arc.

Out of the locker room, the Lady Eagles went on a 13-3 run to jump out to a 56-45 advantage with 14:08 remaining. Nine of the 13 points came from Hodge and fellow freshman Jessica Simerly (Talbott, Tenn.).

A pair of free throws from senior forward Whitney Kyle (Jefferson City, Tenn.) gave the visiting group its largest lead of the contest at 61-47 with 12:53 to play. It was a lead that Carson-Newman held much of the half that Tusculum whittled down to 76-72 with 1:26 to play.

Carson-Newman made 12-of-14 free throws the rest of the way to seal the victory. The Lady Eagles went 25-for-32 at the line in the second half shooting 76 percent in the game. It marked the third time in as many games that Mincey's group attempted at least 25 free throws.

"You always want to start out good," Mincey said. "Conference games are really important. It's the first conference game on the road here at Tusculum. They played a good ball game. Anytime you can go on the road and get a win, it's always good."

Junior guard Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.) put up a season-best 18 points on 4-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc to go along with five assists.

Simerly finished with eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks while sophomore forward Kaitlyn Cupples (Clinton, Tenn.) had nine points and six boards.

Shynese Whitener led Tusculum with 23 points while Maelyn Cutshaw had 17 points.

The Lady Eagles begin a stretch of three straight home games beginning with a league contest with Coker on Saturday at 2 p.m.

- CN -