Carson-Newman Women's Basketball Game Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – To conclude the home portion of the 2014 calendar year, the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles (8-0) play host to the King (Tenn.) Tornado (4-3) Monday night at Holt Fieldhouse for a 6 p.m. tip.

Carson-Newman is off to its best start since 2009-10, but it tallied its lowest point total in a 57-52 victory over the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears last Wednesday in a game that saw the Lady Eagles shoot a season-low 36 percent from the floor.

"We know we are a good shooting team," head coach Mike Mincey said. "We don't have any excuses. It was final weeks, but we just didn't play well. It was frustrating. Hopefully it's a sign of a good team where our expectations are a little bit higher than the way we played [Wednesday night]."

The difference in most games this season has been free throw shooting where the Lady Eagles are among the league's best. Carson-Newman has made 28 straight second half foul shots dating back to a miss at the 13:11 mark against North Greenville on November 29.

The Lady Eagles also needed a pair of double-double performances to defeat the Bears. Senior forward Whitney Kyle (Jefferson City, Tenn.) matched a career-high with 15 points while setting a new career-best with 11 rebounds. Freshman forward Jecca Simerly (Talbott, Tenn.) tallied her second double-double of the year with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

It marked the first time since January 30, 2013 that two Lady Eagles notched a double-double in the same game. Shyra Clark (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Courdne Miles (14 points, 11 rebounds) accomplished that feat.

After beating SAC foes Mars Hill and Tusculum to begin the year, King has lost four of its last six contests. Most recently, King fell 65-49 to No. 12 Limestone in a game where the Tornado were outrebounded 46-25. Chelsea Bowling had 18 points by shooting 6-for-7 from beyond the arc to lead all scorers in the game.

The Tornado have two players averaging double figures on the year in Tia Keitt and Arnelle Collins who average just under 11 points per contest. 10 players on the roster average at least 10 minutes per game this year.

The all-time series has been dominated by the Lady Eagles as Carson-Newman has won all 16 meetings between the two programs. Most recently, King dropped a three-point decision in Bristol, Tenn. on November 16, 2013 78-75. Carson-Newman had 10 players scored in the game as Chante' Markus led the way with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Air time on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 5:45 p.m. Monday night with "The AEC Countdown to Tip-off" on 106.3 WPFT-FM or with a video stream on cneagles.com/live.

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