JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (11-9, 7-7 South Atlantic Conference) heads up the mountain Wednesday looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since the 2011-12 season.
Mars Hill (8-10, 4-8 SAC) stands in the way of the Eagles getting off the schneid.
The Eagles defeated the Lions 86-75 to begin the New Year. Every starter finished in double digits on the day for the Eagles led by Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.) and his 22 points.
Carson-Newman has won seven of its last eight meetings with Mars Hill. In the victories, the Eagles have an average margin of victory of 18.75 points. Furthermore, the Eagles have scored at a high rate against the Lions. Seven of the last 10 meetings have seen the Eagles crack the 90-point threshold.
Mars Hill takes great care of the basketball this season. The Lions only give it up 10.2 times per game, which is the lowest figure in the South Atlantic Conference and the eighth-lowest in the country. MHU only has three games this season where it has turned it over 15 times or more (Belmont Abbey, Newberry and Lenoir-Rhyne). Mars Hill lost all three of those games.
As with most of the South Atlantic Conference, Mars Hill can shoot the three-point shot. The Lions are third in the league, but eighth in the nation with 11.0 made threes per game. On top of that, the Lions convert at a 41 percent clip, fourth in the league and 22nd in the nation.
"We'll do our absolute best to get up on them and contest them from making shots," Benson said. "I hope we can do our part defensively and then bounce back and do the job with offensive efficiency as well."
The Lions have been a hot and cold team this season. When they're on, they're on. When they're not, they're not. In the Lions' eight wins, they've averaged 92.5 points per game with 50 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent shooting from three. In their losses, MHU has scored 76.8 points per game with 39.5 percent shooting and 37.8 percent shooting from three.
Patrick Monroe is third in the league and 41st in the nation in made threes per game (3.00). Monroe blasted the Eagles with 31 points, including 9--for-17 shooting from beyond the arc in an 84-73 win for the Lions last season at Holt Fieldhouse. Justin Yeargin leads the Lions with 15 points per game.
"Yeargin's a complete player who can shoot the three as well as drive," Benson said. "If he were the only option, it'd be a bit different. They have multiple threats that we'll have to guard and Monroe is certainly one of them. It's been weird this season, it feels like every team has multiple guys who can really jump up there and do damage against you."
Charles Clark (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) has been playing basketball at another level of late for the Eagles. The sophomore leads the conference in scoring with 21.5 points per game. He has scored at least 20 points in four straight games including going above 30 against Newberry and No. 7 Lincoln Memorial.
Tipoff between the Eagles and Lions is set for 8 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 7:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
