JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (11-13, 5-9 South Atlantic Conference) will look to right its ship Wednesday night at Pioneer Arena with a rivalry matchup against Tusculum (11-10, 7-7 SAC) at 7:30 p.m.
Carson-Newman is trying to avoid a second six-game losing streak this season. The Eagles hadn't suffered through a five-game skid in Chuck Benson's 13-year tenure as head coach prior to this season, but are in danger of suffering through two in what has become an unlucky 13th year.
Carson-Newman has struggled with ball control over its last three contests. The Eagles have turned it over at least 18 times in three straight games four times in the last six contests. Carson-Newman has had 33 more turnovers than its opponents in its last three games and been outscored by 47 points off those giveaways. That's an average of 15.6 more points per game. Carson-Newman's opponents have taken 43 more shots than the Eagles in that span.
Tusculum is looking for a fifth straight win in the series with Carson-Newman, something that the Pioneers have never pulled off. Prior to January's 13-point Pioneer win, the last four games had been decided by a combined eight points.
In four of the last five contests against C_N, Tusculum has overcome a lead of nine or greater (the Eagles rallied in the SAC semis in 2021 to prevail after giving up a 13 point lead). Two of the Pioneers last three wins against C-N have been the result of overcoming a double-digit deficit, including a 15-point comeback last year.
Bryant Thomas is the ultimate shot-stopper. Carson-Newman's single-game, single-season and career record-holder for blocks now sits on 181. He has the fourth most blocked shots among active players in NCAA Division II. Thomas leads the league this season with 2.1 rejections per game and is top 15 in the country in blocks per game in that regard.
Thomas is tied with Jeff Parker (Wingate 2010-14) and sits in ninth on the league's all-time list with 181. He needs 11 more to catch Eric Burrow, Presbyterian (1995-99) and his 192 sitting in eighth on the all-time list.
With 1,058 career points, senior guard Luke Brenegan will look to begin moving up the program's all-time scoring list. Brenegan is currently 36th all-time in Carson-Newman history in scoring. His next point moves him into a tie for 35th with Pete Billingsly (1,059 points). Malik Abraham sits in 34th, 30 points ahead of Brenegan with 1,088 career points.
Tusculum forward Inady Legiste is second in the country and tops in the SAC with 13 double-doubles this season.
Tipoff between the Eagles and Pioneers is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 7:15 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
