Strong defensive effort powers C-N to road win over Tusculum
December 10, 2025

Strong defensive effort powers C-N to road win over Tusculum

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.  – Carson-Newman (5-3, 2-1 SAC) put together its best defensive performance of the year to defeat Tusculum (0-7, 0-3 SAC) 71-53 on Wednesday evening at Pioneer Arena.

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Mike Mincey Interview

VIDEO: Chloe Heath Interview

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.  – Carson-Newman (5-3, 2-1 SAC) put together its best defensive performance of the year to defeat Tusculum (0-7, 0-3 SAC) 71-53 on Wednesday evening at Pioneer Arena.

Carson-Newman's defense limited Tusculum to 28 percent shooting and scored 24 points off turnovers to collect the road win. C-N also held TU to 53 points, the fewest its allowed in game this year.

"In a rivalry game you can always throw the records out the window," Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey said. "I thought Tusculum played super hard and took care of the ball for the most part. We had a good run there to end the second quarter, which was good to help us carry a double-digit lead into halftime. I'm proud of this group, even though it wasn't our best shooting day, we fared well in the second and fourth quarters, two quarters that haven't been kind to us this season."

The Lady Eagles defense has now held five of its first eight opponents below 40% shooting. Dating back to last season, C-N has now held an opponent to sub 30% shooting for the third time in the past nine games.

Jennifer Sullivan (Knoxville, Tenn.) led all scorers with a game-high 24 points, her fourth 20-point game of the year. 17 of her 24 points were in the first half. Two other Lady Eagles joined Sullivan in double-figures. Chloe Heath (Maryville, Tenn.) made five of her six shots to score 10 points and grab seven rebounds in 23 minutes on the floor. Mattie Nuckolls (Chatsworth, Ga.) scored in double-digits for the sixth straight game, finishing with 10 points and six rebounds.

Carson-Newman continues to win games when it scores 70 points or more. Mincey's squad has won 29 straight games when reaching that scoring mark and is 4-0 when it outshoots the opposition.

C-N was cold from three-point range in the first quarter, but jumped out to a four-point lead halfway through the quarter thanks to a quick six points from Sullivan. C-N's offense went cold as the period wore on, missing seven of its final seven shots to trail by two at the end of the first period.

After missing its first eight three-pointers, Carson-Newman would find its shooting touch from distance in the third period. Three-pointers by Nuckolls and Sullivan gave C-N the lead back early in the second. TU regained a lead momentarily, but the Lady Eagles would dominate the final 6:15 of the first half. C-N went on an extended 18-2 run and held TU without a field goal over that stretch to open up a 13-point halftime lead. Mincey's team made five of their eight three pointers in the second frame.

Tusculum took the first punches after halftime, scoring the first six points to bring the deficit within single digits. After a three-minute scoring drought to start the frame, C-N would eventually find its form, going on a 9-2 scoring run to push the lead out to 13. A Madelyn Ladd (Harriman, Tenn.) three-pointer in the final seconds of the third gave C-N its largest lead of the game.

C-N struggled to begin the final quarter as well, missing its first five shots to allow TU to draw within 11. The Pioneers would get no closer, and the Lady Eagles went on an 11-2 scoring burst over 90 seconds to push the lead out to 20 with two minutes to play. Carson-Newman scored its final six points from the foul line to seal its first road win of the year.

Not only was it C-N's best defensive game, it was also its best rebounding game of the year. The Lady Eagles outrebounded the Pioneers 52-37, their most rebounds in a game since grabbing 54 versus UVA Wise on January 15, 2025.

Keeleigh Rogers (Knoxville, Tenn.) led the effort on the glass, snaring down a season-high 11 rebounds. It's her ninth career double-digit rebounding game, second this season. Rogers filled the stat sheet, scoring six points, dishing out a team-high three assists and also leading the team in steals with two.

Carson-Newman also held distinct advantages in fast break points (17-7), points in the paint (34-22) and in bench points (29-17).

No Scorigami from this game. This is the second time there has been a 71-53 final score in program history. The other occurrence was at Brevard on January 30, 2013.

Carson-Newman returns home on Saturday afternoon for an afternoon clash with Anderson. Tipoff from Holt Fieldhouse with the Trojans is set for 2:00 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 1:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A live camera of the broadcast crew "On Press Row" will also be available on YouTube.

Game Notes On Press Row Highlights Tickets Photos Audio Video Live stats Box Score (PDF) Box Score Preview