ANDERSON, S.C. – Junior Garrett Denbow led five Trojans in double figures with a career-high 32 points to lead the Anderson men's basketball team past Coker, 86-69, in South Atlantic Conference action, Wednesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
"Total team effort tonight in front of a packed house," said Anderson head coach Jimmie Williams. "Every time we play it grows and gets louder. I can't wait for the next home game. Good life lesson for everyone watching our young men compete tonight. We have five players out with injuries and have guys playing positions they have yet to rep in practice. It would've been easy to not expect a great night. We played as hard as we can on defense and we shared the ball on offense and we got a wonderful result. Our greatest strength is our connectivity and it's been tested. So proud of (Jalen) Hillary with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and a major defensive presence. He has been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this, and he responded in a big, big way. His character and work ethic were on full display tonight. We are going to enjoy this one tonight and get back to work for a big road test at Catawba Saturday. So, so thankful for our Trojan army! Abney was rocking tonight! Go Trojans!"
Anderson (5-12, 2-5 SAC) snapped a three-game skid, while avenging an 11-point setback suffered two weeks ago at the hands of the Cobras. Coker fell to 10-8 overall and 4-4 in conference play with its second straight loss.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Denbow posted his career effort on the strength of 11-of-15 shooting from the field, including an uncanny 8-of-10 accuracy from long range. The Ashland, Ohio native also pulled down three rebounds and dished out a season-high four assists. Forward Jalen Hillery came off the bench to score a season-high 15 points on 6-of-9 accuracy from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also matched his career-high with four assists. Senior guard Mason Carver netted 14 points and grabbed five boards, while handing out four assists on the night.
Junior forward Mack Burgett posted his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Richmond, Va., native was 6-of-12 from the field and also recorded six assists, along with swiping a pair of steals. Sophomore guard Jacksen Greco was 5-of-8 from the field and finished with 12 points, four boards, three assists and two steals.
Mahmoud Bangura led the Cobras with 21 points, with junior guard Jordan Jones tallying 18 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The Trojans were sizzling early – connecting on six of their first seven field goals – and with Burgett working inside to score six of their first 10 points, the Black and Gold took advantage of five early Cobra turnovers and claimed a 13-7 lead with just under 14 minutes on the clock on Denbow's first 3-pointer of the night from the left wing.
A little less than two minutes later and with the Trojans holding a three-point advantage (15-12), Hillery, Denbow and Greco all three connected from long range to fuel a 9-3 surge and build the cushion to 24-15 midway through the half.
But Coker responded with a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to trim AU's lead to just two (26-24) before the Trojans answered by building its largest lead of the first half, at 38-28, with 1:58 left in the half and took a 38-30 edge into the break.
Second Half
The Cobras reversed the script early in the second frame, as they connected on six of their first eight field goals and opened the half on a 15-4 run to take their first lead (45-42) since the 18:38 mark of the opening half.
The two teams then traded the lead seven times over the next five minutes, before the Trojans blew the game open by scoring 19 unanswered points over a five-minute span and cruised over the final six minutes.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE NIGHT
Denbow's eight 3-pointers were just one shy of the program record, which is shared by former standouts Chandler Hash and Robbie Seabrook (twice).
NOTABLES
• AU shot a season-high 57.9% from the field, including a season-best 13-of-24 (54.2%) from beyond the arc.
• The Trojans' 13 made 3-pointers were four shy of the program record.
• Mack Burgett posted his third double-double of the season.
• AU turned 13 Cobra turnovers into 22 points.
• The Trojans recorded a season-high 21 assists.
• The Trojans have shot better than 70% from the free throw line in eight straight games and at least 77% in their last four, while connecting on a then-season-high 84.4% (Wingate) and then 90.0% (LMU) of their free throws in back-to-back games. AU is 43-of-51 (84.3%) from the line over the past three games.
• AU won the rebounding battle, 33-25.
• The Trojans had five players in double figures for the first time this season.
• The two teams have met 43 times overall, with Anderson holding a 26-17 advantage in the series.
• The Trojans earned their fourth home win of the season.
• AU claimed its eighth win in nine meetings with the Cobras.
• AU improved to 17-7 vs. Coker at the Abney Center.
UP NEXT
The Trojans will embark on a South Atlantic Conference road swing by traveling to the top two teams in the Piedmont Division standings - Catawba (Saturday) and Wingate (Wednesday). Tip-off against the Indians in Salisbury, N.C. is slated for 4 p.m.
