Anderson, S.C. – No. 20 Anderson University women's basketball team dueled with South Atlantic Conference opponent Carson-Newman in an instant classic, defeating the Eagles on their home turf in double overtime, 102-100, on Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.
With the win, Anderson improves to 17-3 overall and 12-2 in SAC play, while the Eagles fall to 14-6 overall and 10-4 in conference action.
For the first time this season, the Trojans boasted five players in double-digit scoring. Senior Alexy Mollenhauer recorded her 12th double-double of the season scoring a career high 31 points and ripping down a team-high 14 rebounds. Mollenhauer also dished out a season high six assists while equaling her career high with five blocked shots. Senior Madison Baggett netted a season high 18 points while flirting with a triple-double (7 rebounds and 9 assists) to go along with her double figure scoring. Baggett is just 26 points shy of reaching the 1000-point milestone. Junior Alexis Tate chipped in 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field while freshman McKenzie Gadson scored a career high 14 points, including a four-point play and the dramatic 3-pointer to win the game. Junior Taylor Hair contributed 11 points while grabbing five rebounds in 42 minutes of action.
Carson-Newman had four players reach double-figure scoring with freshman Braelyn Wykle scoring a team-high 30 points. C-N's Kayla Marosites recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Addison Byrd netted 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting with Kelci Marosites chipping in 12 points.
Anderson's largest lead of the game was 16 points, halfway through the third stanza. Carson-Newman was able to cut the lead to as little as four points before trailing by seven with the fourth quarter left to play.
The Black and Gold built a 12-point lead with eight minutes remaining, after a steal and layup by freshman J'Mya Cutter before the Eagles closed out regulation with a 16-6 run to knot the game up at, 81-81.
Carson-Newman went ahead, 90-84, with 1:40 left to play. With the game seemingly slipping away, AU's Gadson drilled a three-point basket as she got fouled. Gadson's four-point play pulled the Trojans within two to begin a 9-0 run which featured Mollenhauer draining a three-point basket and making two-free throws in consecutive trips down the court, 93-90, with 24 ticks left on the clock.
C-N's Kelci Marosites made a short jumper in front of the goal and was fouled on the play to tie the game at 93-93. Anderson's Taylor Hair missed a three-point attempt as time expired, sending the game into double overtime.
The second overtime saw three ties and four lead changes with Mollenhauer hitting two foul shots with nine second to go to put the Trojans up by one. The SAC's reigning Player of the Week, C-N's Wykle, went coast to coast, making a layup to put the Eagles ahead,100-99, with three seconds to play.
Following an Anderson timeout, to advance the ball to mid-court, senior Makayla Green hit Gadson above the top of the key. Gadson took two dribbles and drained the deep three-point shot to give the Black and Gold the win and sole possession of first place.
"Wow!", exclaimed head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "Honestly I'm speechless, we talk about highs and lows in a game and how you have to play till the horn goes off. Tonight both teams did and both teams left it all on the court. It was a great game to be part of. Two big shots were made by two great freshmen on both teams in the final seconds of the game…and another freshman had a triple double today in our league. The SAC is strong and going to be for years to come."
"We will enjoy this moment, but we have got to get ready for the next one", added Barbaree.
Anderson returns home to defend its 29 regular season game home win streak when it host SAC opponent Newberry. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 pm at the Abney Athletic Center.
