Superb Sullivan powers C-N to a 32-point win
January 15, 2025

Superb Sullivan powers C-N to a 32-point win

Junior guard Jennifer Sullivan scored a career-high 29 points to lead No. 25 Carson-Newman (13-4, 10-3 SAC) past UVA Wise (8-8, 5-7 SAC) 108-76 on Wednesday night at Holt Fieldhouse.

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Mike Mincey Interview

VIDEO: Jennifer Sullivan Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.  – Junior guard Jennifer Sullivan scored a career-high 29 points to lead No. 25 Carson-Newman (13-4, 10-3 SAC) past UVA Wise (8-8, 5-7 SAC) 108-76 on Wednesday night at Holt Fieldhouse.

Carson-Newman has now won all 14 meetings in the series all-time with UVA Wise. The 108-point scoring effort is the most points in a game versus Wise, and the third time this season that Carson-Newman has hit the century mark in scoring in a game.

Jennifer Sullivan (Knoxville, Tenn.) was terrific for the Lady Eagles. A boat load of her scoring came in the first half, where she drilled nine of 11 shots for 24 points. She scored five more points after halftime to finish with a career-high 29 points. The guard also dished out five assists. The scoring effort was in an efficient manner, making 11 of her 17 shots and five of her eight three-pointers.

"Moving her to the two from the one, I thought she handled her business well," Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey said. "We've seen this before in practice and in games where she is feeling it and is feeling comfy. She had a great first half and in the second half when she drew more attention, she dumped it off to post players and ended with five assists. Across the board, it was an efficient day for her. It can't get much better than that."

The Lady Eagles shot exactly 54 percent from the field and made double digit three-pointers for the second straight game. Three other Lady Eagles joined Sullivan in double-figures. Lindsey Taylor (Maryville, Tenn.) recorded her 27th career double-double by scoring 16 points and grabbing ten rebounds. Makayla Alvey (Dandridge, Tenn.) scored 14 points and made five of her nine shots and Tori Rutherford (Rutledge, Tenn.) made all her field goals in an 11-point effort. Three other Lady Eagles had at least eight points as well.

"We wanted to take care of the defensive end and rebounding," Mincey said. "We wanted to focus on those things and let the offense take care of itself the last two games. The result of this has been super-efficient offensive performances."

After Wise scored the first basket, C-N rattled off the next 11 points to lead 11-2 with 6:39 to go in the first. Carson-Newman made nine straight shots and led by as many as 13 in the opening quarter. However, UVA Wise made its last seven shots of the first quarter to draw within nine after the first ten minutes. Sullivan had 13 first quarter points and C-N nailed five three-pointers.

The Lady Eagles continued to score the basketball well. They made five of their first nine shots of the second quarter to open up a 44-26 lead with 5:46 to play until halftime. UVA Wise went on a late 7-0 scoring run, but Mincey's team still led by 16 points at the break.

C-N gained its largest lead at the halfway point of the third quarter. Sullivan delivered back-to-back quality passes for baskets, and it put C-N up 70-46. The Lady Eagles used an 8-0 scoring run late in the third frame to lead by 33 after three quarters.

Carson-Newman led by as many as 36 at the start of the fourth quarter thanks to a six to nothing burst early in the quarter. Both sides would trade baskets the rest of the way.

It wasn't just the offense that shined on Wednesday night, but the defense as well. C-N became just the second team this season to hold UVA Wise, the fifth-most efficient team in the country, below 44 percent shooting, limiting the Cavaliers to just 38 percent shooting.

"That was intentional," Sullivan said. "We knew coming in that they had only been held below that number one time. That was the goal and we noticed that if we hold teams below 40 percent shooting that it is going to work in our favor. Defense was a huge focus of ours tonight."

Mincey's team was outstanding on the glass, outrebounding UVA Wise 54-30, the most boards in a game this season. C-N snagged 20 offensive rebounds, tied for the most in a game this season.

C-N also passed the ball, dishing out 27 assists on 44 made field goals. Rutherford and Gonzalez each had six dimes for the Lady Eagles.

UVA Wise was led by Ella Karst who scored 17 points off the bench on six for 16 shooting.

Carson-Newman is back on the floor Saturday afternoon versus Wingate. Tipoff between the Lady Eagles and Bulldogs is set for 2:00 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 5:15 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on MIX 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live

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