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JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (7-4, 5-3 South Atlantic Conference) will look to ride otherworldly defense to close out the slate for 2021 with a trip to Limestone (4-6, 3-5 SAC) and the Timken Center Saturday at 4 p.m.
Carson-Newman's defense and rebounding has picked up in the month of December. Since the calendar turned, Carson-Newman has been averaging 43.2 rebounds per game and a +9.6 rebounding margin for the month.
At the same time, Carson-Newman has limited its last five foes below 40 percent shooting - the fifth streak of three games or more under head coach Chuck Benson and the third in the last two seasons. Opponents are averaging 36.9 percent shooting against Carson-Newman for the month of December from the field and 24.1 percent shooting from three.
"We've just gotten more experience under our belts," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "We have guys that believe in what we do. And then we've faced some adversity offensively. Our response to that has been to be elite defensively, and guys have responded to that."
Carson-Newman has held five straight opponents to 40 percent shooting or worse just one other time (Jan. 2013 - Brevard, Wingate, Tusculum, Lenoir-Rhyne and Mars Hill) since the year 2000.
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Carson-Newman has not limited six straight opponents to less than 40 percent shooting in six straight games since the year 2000 - as far back as game-by-game records go.
Bryant Thomas comes into the contest with 92 career blocks, eight away from becoming Carson-Newman's second triple-digit block performer for a career. He is second all-time. Andy Tipton holds the school record (2004-09) with 109 career rejections - Thomas is 17 rejections away.
Thomas is once again among the best in the nation at rejecting shots. He is third nationally with 25 blocks and 16th in the country with 2.27 re-directs per game. Thomas is the league leader in both categories.
"We're in a pretty good place right now," Benson said. "We've enjoyed our time together since classes ended. We just need to make sure that we close out strongly."
Carson-Newman has the country's 15th best shot-blocking team with 47 total rejections. The Eagles lead the league for the category.
Limestone head coach Kyle Perry is a familiar face. Perry helped Carson-Newman to a South Atlantic Conference championship in his first season as an assistant during the 2002-03 season. He was Dale Clayton's associate head coach in his fourth and final year on the banks of Mossy Creek.
Ayo Dada once again leads Limestone. The Bryant transfer knocks down 45.5 percent of his threes to rank second in the SAC and 33rd in the county. Dada averages 16.9 points per game - the fourth leading scorer in the SAC. Dada poured in 35 points in a two-overtime loss to Catawba.
"He has got the entire package offensively," Benson said. "He makes tough shots from three and has the ability to go by you to go finish with either hand on either side of the rim. He is a challenge because he has been one of the best offensive players in the country."
He has scored in double-digits in all but two games this year. He finished with nine against both Erskine on opening night and against Tusculum on Nov. 23. Dada has four straight double-digit scoring efforts. However, he did not play in the Saints last game on Dec. 15.
Limestone has been outrebounded by double digits four times this year (Newberry, Tusculum, Wingate and Coker). The Saints are 11th in the SAC in rebounding margin (-4.4).
Tipoff from the Timken Center is set for 4 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 3:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Sports 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
