CENTRAL, S.C. – Powered by double-doubles from both junior Mack Burgett and sophomore Myles Jenkins, the Anderson men's basketball team wrapped up its nonconference slate by outlasting Southern Wesleyan, 82-77, Friday afternoon at Historic Tysinger Gymnasium.
"Mack Burgett was a grown man today - 21 and 18!" said Anderson head coach Jimmie Williams. "He has always been a part of the solution as we're building this program and is one of our best leaders. It's good to see him score it like that, too. He keeps getting better. I was pleased with our poise down the stretch. Winning close games on the road is challenging, and to their credit they kept coming at us. It came down to us taking care of the ball and making free throws late and we did both well. Proud of our progress, especially on the glass. We show signs of a great defensive team. Now we have to do it more consistently, and I have no doubt we will."
Anderson (4-9) won its second straight outing, while claiming its first road victory of the season. Southern Wesleyan slipped to 2-11 with its third consecutive setback.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Burgett had his second double-double of the season by halftime and finished with a career-high 21 points and a career-best 18 rebounds – including seven offensive boards – and dished out four assists. The Richmond, Va., native was 8-of-11 from the field and was 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Jenkins wrapped up the day with 13 points, including 10 inside the final six minutes of the contest. Freshman guard Luke Denbow added 14 points, six rebounds and handed out a game-high five assists.
Junior guard Garrett Denbow netted 14 points and grabbed three rebounds, while senior guard Mason Carver scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds and recorded a pair of assists. Sophomore guard Jacksen Greco tallied seven points, two rebounds and an assist.
Southern Wesleyan forward Jamal Edmonson and guard Bryson Felder shared game-high scoring honors with 23 points apiece, while sophomore guard Marcus Long notched 14 points for the Warriors.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Sparked by Luke Denbow's lone 3-pointer with exactly 13 minutes left in the opening half, the Trojans used an 8-2 surge to snap a 13-13 tie and take a 21-15 lead – their largest of the half - at the 11:42 mark on a basket by Burgett. But the Warriors countered with six unanswered points in less than a minute to knot the score for the fifth time of the afternoon, at 21-21.
The half featured four more ties, with both teams struggling offensively and combining for just seven field goals inside the final six minutes of the half – with three of the Trojans' baskets coming in the last 61 seconds, as they overcame a two-point deficit and took a 38-34 lead into halftime.
Second Half
AU never trailed in the second-half and used a string of nine unanswered points midway through the frame to take a 60-51 advantage and gain some breathing room with 9:11 on the clock.
After Southern Wesleyan's Long connected on a pair of free throws to pull the Warriors within 66-62 at the 6:11 mark, Jenkins scored eight straight points for the Black and Gold and Garett Denbow's free throw propelled AU to a double-digit, 75-65, lead with 3:20 on the clock.
AU's advantage hovered between six and eight points over the next two minutes, with the Trojans connecting of 7-of-8 clutch free throws in the final 56 seconds to seal the win.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
The last time the Trojans had two players post double-doubles in the same game was in AU's 76-71 win over Lander on Nov. 13, 2021, when Parker Dortch and Josh Livingston each recorded a double-double.
NOTABLES
• The score was tied 10 times, including nine in the first half, but there were only four lead changes – all in the first half.
• Burgett had his second double-double of the season by halftime and finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds and four assists.
• Jenkins notched his fourth double-double of the campaign with 13 points, 10 boards and an assist.
• The Trojans dominated the boards, 49-31, and pulled down a season-high 15 offensive rebounds.
• Both teams were coming off 10-day layoffs.
• The two teams combined to attempt five free throws in the opening half and 26 in the second stanza.
• AU was 14-of-26 (53.8%) from the field in the decisive second half.
• The Trojans and Warriors have met just seven times on the hardwood since the 2010-11 campaign.
• AU defeated Southern Wesleyan for the seventh straight time.
• The Trojans now own a 7-6 edge in the all-time series with Southern Wesleyan.
• AU improved to 3-3 all-time at Historic Tysinger Gymnasium
• The Trojans improved to 2-0 against teams from Conference Carolinas this season.
UP NEXT
After a seven-day layoff, the Trojans will embark on a two-game SAC road swing, beginning at Coker on Jan. 7 and culminating with their second matchup in four weeks against Wingate on Jan. 11. Tip-off against the Cobras is set for 4 p.m.
