ANDERSON, S.C. – Wrapping up the opening weekend of action with a regional contest against Clayton State (1-1), the Anderson University (2-0) men's basketball team was able to defend its home court once again as they picked up the 95-88 win over the Lakers to round out the 2023 Southeast Region Challenge in the Abney Athletic Center on Sunday, November 12.
Senior Mack Burgett (Richmond, Va.) finished just one-point shy of his career high as he was able to score 23 points on the night to lead the Black and Gold. Sophomore Cole Middleton (Atlanta, Ga.) was right on his heels with a double-double in the contest, posting 21 points and 11 boards. Sophomore Luke Denbow (Ashland, Ohio) was also able to record double-digit scoring and his chipped in 18 points. Freshman AJ Wright Jr. (Tampa, Fla.) dished out seven dimes. Anderson again shot over 50% from the floor, knocking down 58.1% of their shots.
The Trojans were able to open the contest in a similar fashion to their Saturday performance as they jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. The Lakers were able to bring the margin back to within four points, but the Trojans' offense had an answer for that run, bringing their advantage back out to seven at 22-15 halfway through the half.
Anderson continued to expand their lead with Burgett working in the paint, putting up a lay-up that gave them a 12-point lead. The Lakers continued to try and chip in the lead and were able to get it down to just seven points but again Anderson was able to keep their offense at bay. That seven-point margin turned out to be the advantage the Trojans took into the halftime break as they led 47-40.
A slow start offensively for both teams plagued the opening of the second half as neither team was able to score a bucket for the first 90 seconds. Anderson was the ones who were able to break that drought and continued to open their lead which ballooned to as many as 11 at 55-44. The Lakers were not going out quietly though as they were able to close the gap to just four points on multiple occasions, the last of which came at the 71-67 mark in the game as the Trojans were able to stymie their offense for the rest of the night takin the contest by the 95-88 final.
Anderson stays home to start the season as they welcome in the Flying Fleet of Erskine College to the Abney on Wednesday, November 13 for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
