ANDERSON, S.C. – Sophomore Myles Jenkins posted his second straight double-double, as Anderson wrapped up a three-game homestand by topping Lenoir-Rhyne, 77-68, in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action, Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.
"Life is about responses," said Anderson head coach Jimmie Williams. "Our leadership and effort was our best of the year tonight, and that's the best we have guarded for 40 minutes. We are building this program to be disruptive on defense and unselfish on offense and tonight we did both and it's how we were able to get it done. I am incredibly proud of many guys stepping up their defensive presence. Garrett Denbow has made a major impact on the defensive end. He has always been a deadly offensive threat but for the last few weeks he has been a complete player on both ends. Myles (Jenkins) had a big-time double-double tonight and gave everything he had. And our 5-man, Mack (Burgett) with seven assists and zero turnovers shows his heart is in the right place. We will enjoy this one tonight."
Anderson improved to 3-9 overall and 1-2 in league action, while snapping a six-game losing streak with its third home win of the season.
Lenoir-Rhyne fell to 5-4 and 1-2 with its third loss in four decisions.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Jenkins shared game-high scoring honors with 19 points and notched his third double-double of the season by collecting 10 rebounds. The 6-foot-4 guard from Lexington was 6-of-12 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free throw line. Sophomore guard Jacksen Greco added 18 points off the bench, while going 6-of-10 from the field and grabbing five rebounds. Freshman guard Luke Denbow netted 12 points and dished out three assists, with junior guard Garrett Denbow recording 10 points.
Junior forward Mack Burgett scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting and handed out a game-high, career-high seven assists on 26 minutes of action.
Junior guard Jalen Johnson paced Lenoir-Rhyne with 19 points, while senior forward TJ Nesmith, a preseason all-conference selection, added 16 points. Guard LJ McCoy tallied 14 points, with senior guard Nas Tyson notching 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The game featured three ties and nine lead changes – all inside the first 14 minutes of the contest - with neither team able to build more than a two-point lead until Greco scored 11 straight points in less than two minutes for the Trojans, with Jenkins and Garrett Denbow dropping in back-to-back layups to cap a 13-0 scoring outburst and giving AU a 34-23 lead with 3:39 left in the half.
Johnson and Nesmith countered with back-to-back baskets for the Bears inside the final two minutes to set the 34-27 halftime score.
Second Half
Lenoir-Rhyne scored the first five points out of the break and closed within just one, at 39-38, with more than 16 minutes remaining in the game, but the Trojans refused to fold, as they answered with a massive 22-4 scoring outburst over the next ten minutes to claim their largest lead of the contest (61-42) at the 6:25 mark.
Six different Trojans contributed offensively during the decisive run, with Luke Denbow leading the way by tossing in eight points during the breakout.
Lenoir-Rhyne chipped away at the AU advantage and climbed within single digits, at 71-63, with 44 seconds on the clock, but it was too little too late, as the Trojans were a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe inside the final 22 seconds to help seal the win.
"I can't wait to go over to Furman, Monday to see so many people I love," added Williams. "We need to see a great turnout of Black and Gold in Greenville. We have a ticket allotment in the lower level behind our bench. Trojan faithful, bring the family and support our team. See you guys at Timmons Arena Monday!"
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
AU held Lenoir-Rhyne scoreless for a 5:11 span late in the opening half and a 4:31 stretch midway through the second stanza.
NOTABLES
• The Trojan defense held the Bears to nearly 10% below their season field goal shooting percentage (38.5%) and more than 10% below their season's 3-point field goal accuracy (24.2%).
• AU outscored the Bears, 44-30, in the paint.
• Myles Jenkins posted his second straight double-double and third double-double of the season with his 19 points and 10 rebounds.
• The Two teams struggled from long range, with AU connecting on 4-of 21 (19.0%) from beyond the arc, while LR was 8-of-33 (24.2%).
• The Trojans won the rebounding battle, 40-38, and recorded 11 offensive boards.
• AU outshot LR from the field, 46.6%-38.5%.
• AU won its fourth straight decision over the Bears
• The Trojans improved to 10-2 all-time against LR at the Abney Center.
• Anderson holds a 16-9 edge in the overall series with Lenoir-Rhyne since the 2006-07 campaign.
• The Trojans have dished out double-figure assists in 11 consecutive games.
• AU has out-rebounded their last three opponents.
• Myles Jenkins has recorded at least six rebounds in six consecutive games and has shot at least 50% from the field in four consecutive games.
• Garrett Denbow has connected on 10 consecutive free throws.
UP NEXT
The Trojans will visit Furman, Monday night for their second exhibition against a SoCon team this season, then following a layoff of nearly two weeks for Christmas, AU will close out its nonconference slate by traveling to Southern Wesleyan on Dec. 30.
