Men’s hoops wins NCAA statistical championship for field goal percentage
INDIANAPOLIS – The Carson-Newman men’s basketball program has won an NCAA statistical championship for having the highest field goal percentage in the country in Division II.
The Eagles hit 52.2 percent of their shots this season, not only the highest mark in Division II, but also the highest mark in all of NCAA Division I and Division III as well.
C-N's claim to the statistical championship for field goal percentage snaps a nine-year run where either Pitt.-Johnstown, Bellarmine or Southern Indiana brought home the honor.
Forward Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.) led the way for the Eagles in terms of individual offensive efficiency. The junior was 12th in the country in field goal percentage, making 61.3 percent of his shots.
Meanwhile, NABC first team all-region performer Charles Clark (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) was one of the most efficient guards in the country, shooting 50.1 percent from the field.
The Eagles connected on at least 50 percent of their shots in 19 of their 29 games played. They were held below 40 percent shooting just three times.
Carson-Newman connected on a 60 percent clip from the field on an astounding six occasions. The high water mark came against Mars Hill on the road at Stanford Arena in a 104-88 triumph. The Eagles shot 65 percent from the field in that one, drilling 39-of-60 shots.
The SAC won four other statistical championships this season. Lenoir-Rhyne brought home the top mark for threes made per game this season with 12.4. National runner up Lincoln Memorial brought home statistical titles for three-point field goal percentage (44.6) and total rebounds (1,558). Newberry won the statistical title for turnovers forced per game (19.77).
This is Carson-Newman men's basketball's first ever statistical championship since joining Division II in 1992-93. The statistical title misses the mark on the C-N school record for field goal percentage of 54.7 set by the 1983-84 team.
