JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.-The Anderson University women's basketball team fell just shy of completing the comeback over the top-seeded and No. 6 nationally ranked Carson-Newman Eagles falling, 70-62, on Friday evening in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Holt Fieldhouse.
Anderson finishes its season 20-11 overall while Carson-Newman (30-2) advances to play Lander in the semifinal round.
The Trojans placed four players in double-figures with sophomore Madison Baggett leading all-scorers with 20 points. Graduate student Alexis Dillard and sophomore Alexy Mollenhauer each scored 12 points for the Black and Gold. Dillard grabbed seven rebounds while Mollenhauer hauled in five rebounds and collected three blocked shots. Senior Kaylee Koerperich chipped in 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and ripped down eight rebounds.
Carson-Newman also placed four players in double-figures with South Atlantic Conference Co-Player of the Year scoring a team-high 18 points. Reserve Katie Stubblefield scored 15 points while Briana Smith netted 12 points for the Eagles. Forward Mika Wester dropped in 11 points on the night.
Trailing by a point after one period of action, the Trojans failed to make a shot from the field during the first five minutes of the second frame. The Eagles used an 11-0 run to help give them a 33-20 half-time lead.
Anderson came out of half-time determined forcing the Eagles to only making one of their first seven attempts while the Black and Gold steadily chipped away. The Trojans took a one-point advantage, 41-40, with 2:12 left in the third quarter before Carson-Newman pushed its lead back to six.
The Eagles built a nine-point lead at the beginning of the fourth period with the Trojans slowly clawing their way back and taking a one-point lead with 4:41 to play.
Carson-Newman's Price hit a timely 3-point basket to take a two-point lead with AU's Baggett answering back with a clutch 3-point basket to put the Trojans back on top, 62-61. Baggett's basket proved to be the Trojans final points as the Eagles scored the final nine points to set the final score at 70-62.