Offensive fireworks kickoff 2016 for C-N in 86-75 triumph over Mars Hill
January 2, 2016

Offensive fireworks kickoff 2016 for C-N in 86-75 triumph over Mars Hill

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-6, 2-4 South Atlantic Conference) began 2016 the same way it ended 2015, with a torrid shooting effort.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-6, 2-4 South Atlantic Conference) began 2016 the same way it ended 2015, with a torrid shooting effort.

The Eagles connected on 54 percent of their shots to down Mars Hill (5-7, 1-5 SAC) Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.

"I thought we ended the first semester with a good showing against L-R," head coach Chuck Benson said. "I think we then had a very productive week working over the break to get to into what we were doing and getting a better sense of who we are as a team.  Today, the performance overall wasn't as crisp as we'd hoped, we did just enough defensively and took care of the basketball well enough to win.  Those things together worked to get the win."

The Eagles fell behind 3-0 to start the game on a Justin Yeargin three.  Five straight point from Josh Rogers (Bristol, United Kingdom) gave the Eagles the lead, one they would not relinquish.

After starting the half 3-of-10 from the field, the Eagles finished it by hitting 16 of their next 21 shots (71.6 percent). 

The Lions did manage to tie the game at 33 with 3:19 left in the first half on a Michael Carson triple.  However, the Eagles whipped out a 9-0 run to close the half while holding MHU scoreless to take a 42-33 lead into the break. The Eagles would extend that run to 15-2 in the second half thanks to four points from Mason Bates (Cookeville, Tenn.) and a layup from Carson Brooks (Knoxville, Tenn.).

The Lions would get as close as seven in the final minute, but the Eagles went 6-of-6 from the stripe in the last 44 seconds to ice the game. 

Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.) led the Eagles with 22 points, his second straight 20-point performance.  He was a rebound shy of a double-double. Williams shot the ball efficiently, finishing 10-for-13 from the field. 

"Sawyer had some crucial and critical baskets at times," Benson said. "He's never too high or too low for us.  He's one of the best players in this conference and is just unheralded."

Brooks tallied his 10th career double-double and his fourth of the season with 13 points and a career high 14 rebounds. 

Charles Clark (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) added 19 points; Rogers had 14 and Bates finished with 10. It marked a second consecutive game where all five starters had double digits for the Eagles.

Carson-Newman outrebounded the Lions 41-30 and held Mars Hill 10 points below its scoring average. 

"It's funny because between Carson, Josh and Sawyer, we constantly remind them who's going to be the guy get it done on the glass," Benson said. "Tonight was Carson's night on the glass.  It's sad to say that Josh has an off night rebounding with just seven boards."

Michael Carson led the Lions with 23 points.  Justin Yeargin chipped in 14 and Vernon Jackson had 10.

Carson-Newman hits the road Wednesday for the renewal of its rivalry game with Tusculum. Tipoff from Pioneer Arena is set for 8 p.m.  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. 

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