VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
MARS HILL, N.C. – Carson-Newman (14-7, 9-6 South Atlantic Conference) used a stellar first half to build a big lead before stiff-arming Mars Hill (6-11, 4-11 SAC) to an 89-74 win Wednesday night at Burt Stanford Arena.
Carson-Newman jumped on the Lions early, leading to its first wire-to-wire road win of the season. The Eagles opened the game on a 9-2 run, and led by double-digits with 13:52 to go in the first half after a 6-0 run and layups from Ousmane Dia (Dakar, Senegal), Matt Bilbrey (Crossville, Tenn.) and Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.). The Eagles would maintain their double-digit lead for the final 31:58 of the game.
The lead was built with hot shooting and stellar defense. Mars Hill opened the game 4-of-22 from the field and 1-of-11 from three. The Eagles limited the Lions to 36.4 percent shooting for the game, a season-low for C-N opponents. On the flip side, C-N shot better than 60 percent from the field from the field for a third time this season, and better than 60 percent from three for a second time. C-N finished at 65.1 percent for the game and 8-of-13 from deep.
However, that was the good. The bad and the ugly came in the second half as Mars Hill did make 15-of-33 shots after halftime (45.5 percent), outscored C-N 46-41 and took advantage of a season-high 22 Eagle turnovers, including 14 after halftime.
"I thought we played really well the first half and met a lot of defensive goals," head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "We were sloppy with the ball and had too many turnovers. Those things are hard to handle when they got comfortable after halftime because of the lead. They made some shots late to win the second half. We were able to do enough good to hold on and get a nice road win."
Instead of slamming the door shut and expanding on what ballooned to a 24-point second half lead, the Lions were able to work their way within 12 in the final four minutes thanks to 18 points off turnovers. Nine of the Eagles' 22 giveaways came in the final 10 minutes of the contest.
"We lost focus the second half and were sloppy," Benson said. "Instead of being happy with singles, we were trying to hit doubles, triples and home runs. Mars Hill was playing hard too, they were extending out and making it tough with nothing to lose. Thankfully we were able to hold on."
The game featured a different approach for C-N. The Eagles are the top three-point shooting team in the country by percentage, and third in makes per game. While the percentage was still there (the Eagles made 8-of-13 from deep), C-N's shot-types favored buckets at the rim. That style further led to more free throws. The Eagles attempted 30 freebies for the second time this season, and made 25, second-most this year to the 26 C-N buried against Lenoir-Rhyne on Nov. 16.
"We got north south and got to the rim," Benson said. "I wasn't bothered by that, nor was I bothered by a tightly officiated game. However, we were supposed to get our food by 9:45, and with 60 free throws, I'm somewhat fearful that all those fouls might mean we starve on the way home."
(Editors note: the men's basketball team did not starve, Bojangles made it to the bus on time)
Braden Ilic (Morristown, Tenn.) led C-N in scoring for the second time in his career with his second career 20-point game and second career double-double. He finished with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting and matched a career high with 12 rebounds. He also chased an ignominious triple-double with a career-high eight turnovers, the most in a game by an Eagle since Ren Dyer's eight against Columbus State in November 2022.
Trey Hubbard (Charlotte, N.C.) followed with an efficient 18. He was 7-of-8 from the field.
John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) added in 17, eight of which came from the charity stripe where he didn't miss.
All five starters finished in double-figures for C-N. Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) chipped in 13 on five shots, while Browder had 10 in 25 foul-plagued minutes.
Browder sat for 10 minutes in the first half after collecting a third foul. That led to a combined five points and five rebounds for Camden McElhaney (Sevierville, Tenn.) and Keliese Frye (Newport, Ky.) in his stead.
"It was stupid, and I'm stupid," Benson said. "I knew better than to do that (play Browder with two fouls in the first half). I knew better than to put him in. I did it, and then chastised him for my mistake. I was pleased with how Mac and Keliese played in his absence. Everyone added value, especially when you consider how impactful a player Jack is for our team."
Mars Hill had two players in double-digits, led by Kory Davis and his 23 points. He was 6-of-14 from the field, but 10-of-11 at the free throw line. Marvin Hires had 11 points.
C-N smashed the glass, owning a 39-24 rebounding advantage – its largest of the season.
The Eagles return home to finish the month of January Saturday at 4 p.m. against Anderson. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 3:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A video stream will be available through FloSports (presuming the return of Internet to C-N's campus) with a subscription at cneagles.com/FloMbb.
