FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 21, 2018

Easter's Career High Propels Trojans Past Tusculum; 76-66

ANDERSON, S.C. - Paced by junior Ace Easter's career-high 25 points, the Anderson women's basketball team captured a key South Atlantic Conference victory by knocking off Tusculum 76 - 66, Wednesday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.

Anderson improved to 18-9 overall and 12-7 in conference play while Tusculum drops to 16-9 overall and 11-8 in SAC action.

Easter came off the bench to spark the Trojans shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 3-of-4 from behind the arc. Anderson placed a total of four players in double-figures with sophomore Madison Baggett scoring 14  points. Forward Alexis Dillard recorded her eighth double-double of the season with a 13 point, 11 rebound outing. Sophomore Alexy Mollenhauer chipped in 12 points with four rebounds to her credit.

Freshman Taylor Hair was also a key contributor ripping down six rebounds, blocking three shots and dropping in both of her shots taken.

Tusculum placed four players in double-figures with Kendrea Duke scoring a team-high 12 points. Maddie Sutton netted 11 points while Lovely Locklear and Sydney Wilson chipped in 10 apiece.

The Pioneers controlled the opening first quarter of action leading the Trojans, 18-15.

Anderson's Easter caught fire in the second period of play scoring 14 of her 25 points to help give the Trojans a 14 point half-time lead, 43-29.

A third quarter lull helped the Pioneers cut the lead to six before Easter's traditional 3-point play pushed the Black and Gold's lead to nine. The Pioneers drained two foul shots just before Anderson's Baggett and Easter hit back-to-back 3's to claim a 13 point advantage with 3:19 left in the frame.

After two made free throws by the Pioneers in the waning seconds of the third period, Baggett drained her second 3-point basket of the game, as time expired to give Anderson a 15 point lead.

Tusculum began the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run followed by an 8-0 clip to cut the lead to two with six minutes to play. Anderson remained poised gaining a seven point edge after another made basket and free throw by Easter with two minutes to go.

Despite a poor free throw shooting night, the Trojans managed to hit 6-of-8 foul shot down the stretch to seal the win.

EXTRA DRIBBLE
-Anderson's victory snapped a two-game win streak by the Pioneers over the Trojans.
-Tusculum attempted 17 more shots than the Black and Gold.
-The Trojans outrebounded Tusculum 45-31.
- With Dillard's 11 rebounds tonight, she is just five rebounds from becoming Anderson all-time leading rebounder.

UP NEXT
Anderson remains home to close out the regular season when it hosts SAC opponent Coker on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Abney Athletic Center.