Davis’ near triple-double carries Eagles past Cincinnati Christian, 99-62

Davis’ near triple-double carries Eagles past Cincinnati Christian, 99-62

JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. – Carson-Newman's Antoine Davis finished a rebound and an assist shy of a triple-double in his third game as an Eagle to lift C-N past visiting Cincinnati Christian College, 99-62, on Friday night in the Dick Campbell Memorial Classic.

Davis poured in 27 points to go with nine rebounds and nine assists to help C-N improve to 2-1 on the year. The Eagles return to action against King College tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Holt Fieldhouse.

The Eagles outscored CCC 31-9 to start the second half to put the game out of reach. Davis sparked the Eagle surged with 13 points including a pair of three pointers.

Carson-Newman put a sloppy defensive first half behind it by allowing just one field goal during a 8:10 stretch early in the second half. The Eagles led by 11 at the break, 46-35, but aided the Crusaders' effort with 17 first-half free throws.

Davis led an Eagle offense that enjoyed its best shooting night of the season. C-N finished 39-of-71 from the floor (54.9 percent), which help offset 18 turnovers. Davis finished 9-of-19 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the line. He connected on 5-of-11 three-point attempts.

As a team, the Eagles shot well from beyond the arch. C-N hit 11-of-25three-point attempt and outrebounded CCC 48-31, including 19 offensive rebounds. The Eagles pounded the front of the rim, scoring 48 points in the paint.

Davis wasn't the only Eagle to turn in a complete game. Reigning SAC player of the Week Ishmael Sanders had 20 points in the win. He was 4-of-11 from beyond the arch.

Freshman Jared Johnson had eight points to go with eight assists and four boards. The Eagles had 31 assists as a team. CCC had just nine.

CCC's Greg Howard led the Crusaders in scoring with 16 points. Brandon Soleman had 15.

The Eagles never trailed, jumping out to an 8-2 lead before leading by as many as 15 in the first half at 35-20 with just over four minutes to play.