VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
VIDEO: Carson Brooks Interview
VIDEO: Josh Rogers Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (14-12, 10-10 South Atlantic Conference) struggled to make shots while Wingate (19-7, 15-5 SAC) knocked down 11 threes to spoil Carson-Newman's senior day 81-60 Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.
The teams swapped leads six times and were tied six times in the game's first 16 minutes. However, Wingate closed the first half on a 13-3 run before opening the second half on an 11-2 spurt from which Carson-Newman would not recover.
"I was pretty pleased with our first 16 minutes of play, but we had some players who turned the ball over late that created quick dunk opportunities for them," head coach Chuck Benson said. "They had such an unbelievable burst of momentum going into the half that it really carried into the second half. It's frustrating to be so incapable of taking care of the basketball at this point in the season. Guys have to step up and make the play, and we're not doing that at this point in the season."
The Eagles were held 37.9 percent shooting, the third game below 40 percent this season for one of the nation's most efficient offenses. Meanwhile, Wingate, a team averaging 44 percent from the field on the season, drilled 50.8 percent of its shots and 11-of-29 threes.
The 11 made threes mark the fourth time this season Wingate has hit 10 or more triples. Of Carson-Newman's last nine opponents, eight have nailed at least 10 threes.
The Bulldogs percentages would have been higher, but Wingate went the final 3:34 of the game without scoring.
"They are tough and physical defensively," Benson said. "They have a toughness we don't possess. We didn't have the poise in this game today to handle when we think we're being fouled and the whistle's not blown. You saw our guys get frustrated when they thought there should have been a whistle. We didn't handle poise in that regard because how we respond to that is something we can control. We succumbed to that tonight."
Carson-Newman had a trio of players score 11 points in Carson Brooks (Knoxville, Tenn.), Mason Bates (Cookeville, Tenn.) and Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.).
Williams, normally efficient on the low blocks, was held to 4-of-13 shooting. He averaged 62 percent from the field coming in.
Charles Clark (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) narrowly hit double-digits for a 31st consecutive game. He had 10, also on 4-of-13 shooting.
Mike Baez led Wingate with 22 points. The freshman was averaging 31 percent shooting from three coming into the contest, but went off, burying 6-of-8 threes and 8-of-10 field goals.
Isiah Cureton added 16 points, with 14 coming after halftime. Kerigan Farley and Keith Griffin each had 10.
Carson-Newman coughed it up 14 times, 12 of which were live-ball Wingate steals. The Bulldogs converted 10 of those steal into points to finish with 20 points off turnover to 11 for the Eagles.
"We have to continue with the processes that have been in place that have won us a bunch of games," Benson said. "We'll give our guys the scout and prepare and it'll be upon them to execute. We all have a role in this thing. No one's role is any greater than the others. Coaches have to coaches, players have to play, managers have to manage, radio guys have to do radio. If everyone doesn't do their job, then we've got a problem. We need to have a stronger, determined effort to do their job that it leads to a performance worthy of a win."
Carson-Newman closes out its regular season with back-to-back road games. Wednesday sees the Eagles travel up the mountain to Brevard. Tipoff with the Tornadoes is set for 8 p.m. Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 7:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
