Anderson, S.C. – Paced by senior Shawn Benard's career night and solid team play, Anderson University men's basketball team fended off the Eagles to win, 75-71, on Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in SAC action, while the Eagles drop to 4-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Benard led all-scorers with a career high 29 points and ripped down a career high 10 rebounds. The native of Mobile, Ala. dished out four assists and was credited with two steals and a block. Junior Quin Nottingham snuck in a double-double netting 23 points and chasing down 10 rebounds. Freshman Crosby James II chipped in a career high 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Junior Josh Livingston and sophomore Jason Edwards each ripped down six rebounds for the Black and Gold.
The Eagles were led by EJ Bush's double-double night. Bush dropped in 19 points while pulling down 14 rebounds. Luke Brenegan netted 12 points with Tripp Davis adding 10 points and nine boards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The Trojans jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after layups by Edwards and Nottingham, followed by two made Nottingham foul shots. AU would go ahead by seven, 17-10, at the 13:35 mark after a layup by Matt Burkgett.
The Eagles would tie the game at 20 apiece, before Anderson would make another run building its largest lead of the game, 32-24, on a layup by James II at the 6:14 mark.
Carson-Newman would make a final push over the final two minutes of the first half, outscoring the Black and Gold 6-0 to even the score at 40 all heading into halftime.
Second Half
Anderson came out firing scoring the first seven points of the second half, capped off by a dunk by Livingston. Benard's three-point basket with 14:08 to play gave the Trojans their largest lead of the game at 55-44 and a lay-up by the senior at 10:34 kept the lead at 11.
A two minute lull by the Trojans helped Carson-Newman cut the lead to five with just under nine minutes to play. The Eagles were able to erase the deficit and take a one-point lead with four minutes to go.
Livingston would hit 2-of-2 foul shots to reclaim the advantage before the Eagles bucket by Bush was once again see the Black and Gold down by one with three to play.
Over the final three minute stretch, Nottingham would drain a three-point basket while Benard would hit a jumper and a layup to seal the, 75-71, victory for Anderson.
"Super proud of the guys effort this evening," said head coach Jeff Brookman. "They made all the right plays in the last two minutes to win the game. We got good contributions from a lot of guys. Whether it showed in the box score or not, I thought Jason Edwards, Mack Burgett and Crosby James gave us huge minutes tonight. It was nice to see us bounce back from last week's games."
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
The Trojans snapped an eight game losing streak with the Eagles.
UP NEXT
Anderson steps out of the friendly confines of the Abney Athletic Center to travel to SAC opponent Newberry on Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
