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Pair of Runs Lift Anderson Past Mars Hill

Pair of Runs Lift Anderson Past Mars Hill
Box score

MARS HILL, N.C. - Paced by three players in double figures, the Anderson women's basketball team notched its second win in the last three outings by topping Mars Hill, 65-59, in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Stanford Arena.

Anderson improved to 8-12 overall and 5-7 in the conference, while Mars Hill (11-10, 4-8 SAC) suffered its fourth loss in the last five games.

After falling behind 4-0 to open the game, the Trojans posted a 17-2 run to push out to a 17-6 lead midway through the half, with sophomore sharpshooter Emily Willoughby fueling the surge with eight points in a three-minute span.

The Trojans' full-court press helped hold the Lions without a field goal for nearly eight minutes during the outburst, with Anderson scoring 21 points off 15 Lions turnovers in the half.

A 3-pointer by Mars Hill's Ansley Ricker snapped the field goal drought for the Lions, who were able to pull off a 9-0 run to tie the score at 20-apiece with 6:12 to play in the half. Danielle Tucker scored four points during the run, which was capped by a Kristen Metcalf trey. Anderson junior Breonda Shannon responded by scoring six straight for the Trojans as part of an 11-3 run, with AU taking a 33-27 lead into the break.

The Lions trimmed the halftime deficit to two on buckets by Tyler Carlson and Jackie Simon, but the Trojans answered with a 10-3 run over the next three minutes to build a 43-34 lead. Junior guard Amanda Parris connected on a pair of 3-pointers and freshman guard Lesley Woods added a trey during the run.

The lead held the rest of the way, with the Lions pulling as close as five points in the final minute. A runner by Carlson was answered by a pair of free throws by Amanda Parris, and a Tucker lay-in with 11 seconds remaining was as close as the Lions would get.

Anderson held a 39-38 rebounding advantage and converted 22 Lions' turnovers into 26 points on the offensive end.

Three Trojans scored in double figures, led by Parris and Tilde Ahlin with 13 points apiece. Shannon added her fourth double-double of the season for AU, scoring 12 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Lions were paced by Carlson, who scored 15 points. Tucker chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds, while Simon added nine points and 10 boards.

Anderson returns to the Abney Center to open a two-game conference homestand on Wednesday, when the Trojans play host to Newberry College. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.