Trojans Grind out South Atlantic Conference Road Game at UVA-Wise; 64-62

Trojans Grind out South Atlantic Conference Road Game at UVA-Wise; 64-62

Wise, Va. – No. 17 Anderson women's basketball team showed a ton of grit as it pulled off the South Atlantic Conference road victory vs first-year member UVA-Wise defeating the Cavilers, 64-62, on Saturday afternoon at Prior Court.

With the win, the Trojans improve to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in SAC play, while the Cavilers fall to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in conference action.

Anderson's junior Taylor Hair scored a game-high 18 points, including a 10 point fourth period to help lead the Black and Gold to victory. Seniors Madison Baggett and Makayla Green netted 13 and 12 points, respectively. Freshman McKenzie Gadson chipped in 10 points while ripping down seven rebounds. Senior Alexy Mollenhauer countered a season low scoring output with a game-high eight rebounds.

UVA-Wise had three players reach double-digit scoring with Makenzie King scoring a team-high 16 points. King was 5-of-10 from the floor while hitting 3-of-5 three-point baskets.

Baggett opened the game with a quick lay-up giving the Trojans their short lived lead of the first half, until the senior guard hit the second of two foul shots with 4:32 left in the second period. Anderson held on carrying a two-point lead into halftime, 28-26.

Anderson took its largest lead of the game (35-31) at the 7:32 mark in the third period on a made 3pt-basket by Gadson, before the Cavilers hit a game-tying 3-point basket at the 5 minute mark. Senior Mollenhauer's two made free throws tied the game once more before UVA-Wise's 12-4 run to close out the third frame put the Cavilers up eight.

UVA-Wise went ahead by 11 before AU's Hair began her 10 point scoring outburst to help reel back in the Cavilers. Baggett hit a lay-up with 2:24 to give the Trojans a one point lead, 61-60.

AU's Hair traded short baskets with UVA-Wise Kalee Johshon with just over a minute to play to keep the Black and Gold ahead, 63-62. The Cavilers were forced to foul putting Mollenhauer at the line. The native of Lindale, Texas made 1-of-2 with 2.4 seconds to play to give the Trojans a two-point lead. UVA-Wise drove the length of the court getting off a final shot that bounced out of the rim.

For the game, Anderson shot a dismal 11.8 percent (2-17) from behind the arc. The Black and Gold did control the glass, 48-34, in its second straight SAC road win.

"Man I'm proud of this team," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "We really showed a lot of grit and togetherness today. We spent the last few days growing as a family and I truly believe that is what carried us to the win."

Anderson returns home to host SAC foe Carson-Newman on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.