Withering defensive effort helps Eagles ground Fleet
November 26, 2022

Withering defensive effort helps Eagles ground Fleet

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (4-1) limited Erskine (0-7) to 16 first-half points and didn’t look back in locking up a fourth consecutive victory, 84-47, Saturday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse.   

VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Monty Johal Interview

VIDEO: Camden McElhaney Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (4-1) limited Erskine (0-7) to 16 first-half points and didn't look back in locking up a fourth consecutive victory, 84-47, Saturday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse.   

The 16 points the Eagles allowed in the first half are the fewest C-N has given up since holding Clayton State to 16 on Dec. 2, 2014. Carson-Newman would lose that game in overtime 62-58.  There would be no doubt Saturday against the Flying Fleet.

Carson-Newman carved up a 20-0 run while Erskine failed to score over a seven-minute stretch to put things away early. 

"We knew we were going to deal with a team today that was very hungry," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "They gave Catawba all they wanted and had King beat before losing in OT.  I want to give credit to our guys for being ready and prepared. We set the tone with our rebounding and our defense was locked in."

Erskine made it a two-point game, 9-7 with two Tavis Bridges free throws with 14:54 left in the half.  The Fleet wouldn't score again until Aisaiah Phillips hit a three with 8:03 left in the half.  Luke Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) sparked the burst with a three. The Eagles also got triples from Monty Johal (Springfield, Mo.) and a pair from Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.) to accentuate the surge that put the Eagles up 29-7 with 8:24 to play in the half.  The Fleet started 2-of-12 from the field. 

Meanwhile, Carson-Newman suffered through shooting struggles early.  C-N missed its first six shots. However, the Eagles followed up five of those misses with offensive rebounds. 

"The very offensive possession, we corralled three offensive boards," Benson said. "Even though we didn't score, a tone was set.  It was kind of like that old adage, 'everything's ok until you get punched straight in the mouth.' I think, in a way, punched them in the mouth early and that punch destabilized them for the first half.  They found their footing in the second half."

The early offensive board dominance led to Carson-Newman finishing the game with a +20 rebound margin. The Eagles outrebounded Erskine 46-26, its first game with a +20 rebound margin since outrebounding UVA Wise 53-33 on Dec. 8, 2021. 

Carson-Newman used an exceedingly balanced effort for its path to victory.  All 13 players who saw the floor scored, but C-N only had two players finish in double-digits. 

Johal led all scorers with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He also swiped four steals in a performances reminiscent of fellow Tennessee State transfer Tripp Davis. 

"It's all about the gameplan," Johal said. "I trust in my teammates on that backline behind me.  I really did learn a lot from Tripp at TSU.  He was taking it from me as a freshman.  Now I'm thankful for that."

Three of his steals and six of his points came in a 150-second stretch in the second half. 

"Monty was very efficient," Benson said. "I know he can do that, especially when he gets down hill. He can score in such a multitude of ways. His defensive hand game was very reminiscent of Tripp Davis. He took those steals and turned them into points. He has a lot of playing ahead of him here."

Brenegan was Carson-Newman's only other double-digit scorer.  He had 10 points. 

Three Eagles finished with seven boards.  Bryant Thomas (Charlotte, N.C.) led the way with eight. Ren Dyer (Weaverville, N.C.) and Camden McElhaney (Sevierville, Tenn.) both had seven. 

"The game dictates action and responses," Benson said. "But we were able to play everyone and have everyone score. That won't always be the case, but I'm thankful that it was that way today."   

Carson-Newman dished out 18 assists on 27 made baskets.  A whopping 10 different Eagles handed out an assist, with five players dropping multiple dimes.

No one from Erskine scored in double figures.  Jalen Canada led the Flying Fleet with nine points.

For a second straight home game, Carson-Newman forced its opposition into 21 turnovers. The Eagles had a 29-17 advantage in points off turnovers, in part because they forced 13 steals. 

Carson-Newman shot 47.4 percent from the field while holding Erskine to 31.7 percent shooting.  Even though it had the higher shooting percentage, Carson-Newman had double the offensive rebounds (12-6) as Erskine. The Eagles also commanded a 15-5 edge in second-chance points.

The Eagles return home Monday at 7:30 to play the middle game in a three-game home set against Johnson.  Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins 15 minutes before tipoff with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.  A video feed is available through FloSports and cneagles.com/flombb. 

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