MARS HILL, N.C. – Paced by redshirt freshman Ian Thomson's first career double-double and with four players reaching double figures for the 13th time this season, the Anderson men's basketball team knocked off Mars Hill, 95-69, in the season-finale for both teams, Saturday afternoon at Stanford Arena.
Anderson improved to 9-19 overall and 6-12 in conference action by leading wire-to-wire. Mars Hill slipped to 9-19 overall and 4-14 in league play with its fourth loss in five decisions.
"What a great night to be a Trojan!" said Anderson head coach Jimmie Williams. "Proud of our team. They showed their character responding like that after a tough double-overtime loss Wednesday. That's best we have played on the road all year. Our defensive energy and focus was fun to watch. Offensively we played our brand of ball. We moved the ball and drove and cut their pressure. I'm proud of our growth and thankful I get to coach these guys. Mason Carver led us today in every way. He does so many things that won't show up on a box score but they impact winning. His 18 points and seven assists does show up on a box score. He's really become a bigger scoring threat for us down the stretch. Ian (Thomson) got his first career double-double on the night of his first career start. I guess that means I should have been playing him more. Really excited about his future, and so many others of our young core group. We didn't win as many as would have wanted but I loved every second of this season, and I know where this program is headed. I love this team."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Junior guard Garrett Denbow led all scorers with 21 points, while senior Mason Carver matched his season-high with 18 points and dished out a career-best seven assists, while pulling down four rebounds and swiping two steals. Thomson followed with a career-best 13 points and 13 boards, while also recording two assists and a steal on the afternoon. Grad student Jalen Hillery notched 12 points on a perfect 4-for-4 performance from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guard Jacksen Greco tallied nine points, seven rebounds and four assists, with Mack Burgett netting seven points and grabbing six rebounds in 26 minutes of action.
Jackson Reid paced the Lions with 19 points, with Ji'lil Michael adding 15 and Isaiah Jones notching 13.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Trojans scored the first 19 points of the game and held the Lions scoreless until Jones sank 1-of-2 from the free throw line nearly seven minutes into the game.
AU held at least a 15-point advantage through the final 13 minutes of the half and carried a 45-28 cushion into the break.
The Trojans maintained the margin until Mars Hill closed within 68-56 midway through the second half, but AU rebuilt their substantial lead and led by as many as 31 in the final minutes.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
The Trojans' +19 rebounding margin was their best of the season.
NOTABLES
• The Trojans were 33-of-59 (55.9%) from the field – their third-highest field goal accuracy of the season.
• AU was 18-of-34 (52.9%) from long range – their third-highest 3-point accuracy of the season.
• The 18 3-pointers were the second-most in program history – behind just the 22 treys at Newberry earlier this season.
• The 23 assists were AU's second-highest tally of the season.
• Ian Thomson posted his first career double-double, with a game-high 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
• With a dozen double-doubles, the Trojans matched the 2016-17 squad for most double-doubles since joining the South Atlantic Conference in 2010-11.
• The Trojans netted a school-record 300 treys on the season.
• The Trojans have won two straight past the Lions.
• Anderson holds a 22-13 advantage in the all-time series after sweeping the Lions during the 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
• The Trojans claimed their 19th win in the last 25 meetings with Mars Hill.
• AU saw four players reach double-figure scoring for the 13th time this season.
