MARS HILL, N.C. – Sophomore Cole Middleton (Atlanta, Ga.) posted a double-double with 28 points and 14 boards to lead the Anderson University (6-6, 1-3 SAC) men's basketball team to their first South Atlantic Conference win of the season with a 105-90 win over Mars Hill (1-11, 0-5 SAC) on the road on Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Senior Garrett Denbow (Ashland, Ohio) was just one point off of Middleton's team leading point total as he was able to post 27 in the contest. Fellow senior Mack Burgett (Richmond, Va.) added 18 points in the contest as well as eight rebounds while sophomore Luke Denbow (Ashland, Ohio) pitched in 12 points and also recorded a double-double with 10 assists. The Trojans were hot from the floor in the contest, shooting 59% in the contest.
The Trojans were able to jump out to an early four point advantage to start the contest but the Lions were able to tie it up quickly and then swing the lead into their favor with a three-point shot to lead at the first media, 7-4. Anderson closed the gap to just one prior to the second media timeout of the half, but Mars Hill was able to hit a three-point shot again right before the break to lead 17-13 with 11:47 remaining.
Mars Hill continued to slightly increase their advantage over the next four minutes of action, but the Trojans kept the pressure on, not allowing the contest to get out of reach. At the final media timeout of the first half the Lions led by eight, but Anderson was able to outscore them by five points over the final four minutes of action, bringing the advantage to just one point in the final minute of the half but the Lions would take the 49-46 lead into the break.
After a two-minute drought by both squads to start the second stanza, Garrett Denbow was able to tie up the contest with a three-point shot but Mars Hill extended their advantage back out to nine by the next media timeout. The comeback for the Trojans began over the next four minutes as the Trojans were able to outscore the Lions 12-7 over the stretch, bring the Mars Hill lead down to just four with 11:56 remaining.
By the under-8 media timeout Anderson had retaken the lead that they lost early in the contest with Middleton making a layup just before the stoppage. Anderson was able to truly pour it on over the next four minute stretch as they are were able to take their lead into the double-digits momentarily with their advantage sitting at seven with 2:57 to play. The final stretch of play was the most prolific of the evening for the Trojan offense as they scored 14 points in that time to bring their lead out to the final 15-point margin, giving them the 105-90 win.
Anderson returns to action on Wednesday, January 10 as they travel to Gaffney, S.C. to take on Limestone University in a conference tilt in a 7:30 p.m. scheduled tip.
