VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
VIDEO: John Zhao Interview
VIDEO: Jack Browder Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Southern Wesleyan (0-4) made a three on its opening possession, but then Carson-Newman (3-1) rattled off a 16-0 run in the next three minutes to set the tone for what would become the sixth-largest margin of victory in school history.
The Eagles prevailed 109-58 – Carson-Newman's first 50+-point win in 37 years, its 10th overall and its first as a member of NCAA Division II.
"I thought we defended at a really high level," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "From points allowed to impacting efficiency, that was the charge we gave our team and they followed through. The offense came as we got stops and got in transition. This is what it should do. It was all about us, and not the opponent. I was really pleased with how we followed through with what we made an emphasis about."
Luke Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) keyed the 16-point opening salvo. He canned three, threes en route to C-N taking a 16-3 lead before the under-16 media time out. Carson-Newman would play add on in a major way, tallying 12-0, 13-0 and 10-0 runs throughout the game. Southern Wesleyan never trailed by anything other than double-digits after Carson-Newman's opening haymaker.
The Eagles put up 61 points in the first half behind 60-5 percent shooting and a 10-of-17 effort from long range. It marked the most points C-N had scored in a half since the 2021 season-opener against Lees McRae when the Eagles also put up 61 points and knocked down 10 first-half threes.
However, unlike the LMC game, Carson-Newman's reserves played add on. The Eagles shot a better percentage after halftime, 68 percent, with a 4-of-6 effort from long range.
Six Eagles finished in double-figures, led by the elder Brenegan brother and his 18 points, 16 of which came in the first half. Brenegan buried his first five shots, which were all threes. He burst out of a season-opening slump where he started 1-for-9 from three.
"I was never worried about Luke Brenegan making shots," Benson said. "For him to step up and do what he did, it's exactly what we thought he would do."
John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) led all scorers with a career-high 20 in 14 minutes. He was 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from the field.
Caleb Bridgewater (Charlotte, N.C.) also matched a career-high with 14 points. He buried 2-of-4 triples and 4-of-7 shots from the field. Jack Browder (Johnson City, Tenn.) joined in on the career-high barrage with 12. He was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and hit both threes he took. He also added in four boards and three assists in 11 minutes.
Three different @CN_Hoops players reset their career highs (@JonathanZhao22, @CabBridge and @JackBrowder3)
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) November 19, 2022
Eagles dial up their first 50-point win in 37 years pic.twitter.com/l2rHyfhypO
C-N sat all its starters from the 12-minute mark on in the second half.
"Zhao, Bridge and Jack all had outstanding performances," Benson said. "So many guys contributed in major ways. This is the kind of home opener you want to have where everyone adds value."
Bryant Thomas (Charlotte, N,C.) and Ren Dyer (Weaverville, N.C.) rounded out the Eagles' double-digit scorers. Thomas tallied 10 points and three blocks. Dyer turned in his ninth-career double-double with 12 points and 11 boards.
Tyler Bowens (Greenville, S.C.) and Jarius Satterfield (Clarksville, Tenn.) both reset their career highs for assists with five and four, respectively.
"I'm glad that it was a situation where we could play everyone who suited up," Benson said. "We don't give away minutes to anyone. Literally everybody who got on the court added value whether it was on the offensive or defensive end."
Carson-Newman's bench scored a whopping 60 points.
Largest margin of victory under @CNHeadCoachB
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) November 19, 2022
�� @CN_Hoops 109
⚔️ SWU 58
FINAL pic.twitter.com/qfsBd9HRhe
The Eagles shot 63.5 percent from the field and 60.9 percent from three – the seventh-highest single-game three-point shooting percentage in school history.
C-N crested 100 points for the 31st time in the Benson-era and the first time since last year's season opening 108-75 win over Lees-McRae.
The Eagles dominated every stat category. C-N outrebounded the Warriors 39-23, had 27 assists compared to SWU's 13 and doubled up SWU in steals 12-6.
The Orange and Blue had a 52-24 edge in points in the pain, a 34-11 lead in points off turnovers, and even a 6-3 edge in second-chance points.
Jamal Edmonson and Wilvens Fleurizard led SWU with 12 points apiece.
The Eagles held the Warriors to 35.6 percent shooting.
Carson-Newman heads to Morrow, Ga. to take on Clayton State at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 1:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Talk 16.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
