Anderson, S.C. – No. 16 Anderson women's basketball team defended its home court winning the South Atlantic Conference matchup versus Carson-Newman on Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in SAC play, while the Eagles fall to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in conference action.
Anderson senior Alexy Mollenhauer scored a team-high 19 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Junior Taylor Hair netted 16 points ripping down a team-high nine rebounds. Freshman McKenzie Gadson chipped in 13 points, recording three rebounds and three assists while senior Madison Baggett added seven points, chasing down five rebounds and dishing out six assists.
Carson-Newman's Kayla Marosites score a game-high 23 points and pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds. Braelyn Wykle and Harli Smith scored 15 and 10, respectively.
Junior Alexis Tate opened the game with a quick jumper to set the tone for the exciting early matchup between SAC preseason No. 1 and No. 2. The Eagles were red-hot beyond the arc in the opening frame, draining five three-point baskets. Carson-Newman built a nine-point lead just under three minutes to play in the first quarter when the Black and Gold closed out the frame with a 10-2 run to close the gap to 23-22.
Senior Amari Grevious's layup in the opening 30 seconds of the second quarter gave the Trojans its first lead of the game, since the 6:14 mark of the first period. The Eagles hit four more three-point baskets over a span of four minutes to build a five-point lead. The Trojans held Carson-Newman scoreless for three and half minutes to even the score at, 36-36, with a minute and half left to play before halftime. The Eagles outscored AU 5-4 to carry a one-point lead into intermission, 41-40.
Anderson took its largest lead of the game. 50-41, on a made three-point basket by Mollehauer at the 7:14 mark. The Eagles slowly chipped away pulling the score even 61-61 heading into the final stanza.
The fourth period saw four lead changes with Anderson taking the lead for the final time on freshman's J'mya Cutter's steal and made lay-up, 69-67. Mollenhauer would hit 1-of-2 free throws to push the lead to 70-69 before an huge offensive rebound and put back with a foul by AU's Hair to extend the lead to, 73-67, with 2:34 to go. Hair would hit a short jumper before the Eagles could get off of 67 points to give the Trojans a six-point lead with under two minutes to go. Baggett's two made foul shots sealed the win for the Black and Gold.
"What a great game between two really good teams," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "I thought both teams fought hard the entire game. We were proud of our teams energy all game from both on the court and from the bench. That really helped us down the stretch."
"We also want to thank the crowd today that came out and supported both teams," added Barbaree. "We look forward to seeing everyone back next Saturday for another double header."
Anderson travels to SAC opponent Newberry on Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.
