Mars Hill, N.C.- With all five available players scoring in double-digits, the Anderson University basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat South Atlantic Conference opponent Mars Hill, 86-70, on Monday evening at Stanford Arena. The Black and Gold improve to 8-5 overall and 7-4 in South Atlantic Conference play, while the Lions fall to 1-8 overall and 1-8 in conference action.
"I am really proud of these five young women," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "Playing two games in three days is not easy for a full roster much less only five"
"I really hope they can build on their experience and use it as a confidence booster moving forward," added Barbaree. "I loved how the scoring was spread out and the defense was solid across the board."
"They definitely earned a day off," chuckled Barbaree.
KEY STATS
- Anderson shot 33-of-69 (47.8 percent) from the field on the day, with Mars Hill shooting 28-of-67 (41.8 percent).
- The Trojans shot 31.3 percent (five-for-16) from three-point range, the Saints shot 42.9 percent (three-for-seven) from beyond the arc.
- Anderson outrebounded the Lions 47-34.
- The Black and Gold hit 15-of-21 (71.4%) at the free throw line, while Mars Hill went 11-for-16 (68.8%).
KEY TROJANS
- Samantha Michel had a team-high 23 points, while grabbing 13 rebounds and five blocked shots.
- Xan Rowland contributed a career high 20 points, draining four three-point baskets and shooting 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
-Kaitlin Bailey scored a career high 17 points and pulled down a career high eight rebounds, while dishing out a career high five assists.
- J'Mya Cutter chipped in 14 points and six rebounds. Cutter also dished out a career high eight assists.
-Britney Bailey added 12 points and ripped down a career high 15 rebounds.
NOTES
- The 86 point scoring output was Anderson's highest of the season.
FIRST QUARTER
- Anderson outscored Mars Hill, 18-13.
- A mini 5-0 run gave AU an 11-6 lead at the 6:22 mark.
- Michel's free throw at the 3:17 mark pushed the lead to 16-7.
SECOND QUARTER
- A 2:40 scoring drought by the Lions allowed Anderson to increase its lead to, 24-13.
- Michel's put-back in the waning seconds of the period gave AU its largest lead of the half, 37-24.
THIRD QUARTER
- Mars Hill and Anderson exploded for a combined 57 points.
-Cutter's layup pushed the Black and Gold lead to 15 early in the third stanza.
-The Lions trimmed the lead to 10 with a made three-point basket with 7:12 remaining.
-The Lions got within seven, before AU's B. Bailey' jumper at the 4:13 mark, stretched the lead back out to 13.
-Mars Hill cut the lead to eight, 63-55, heading into the final quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Anderson offensive output stayed steady, while the defense did not allow the Lions to get any closer that seven.
-The Trojans pulled away at the 3 minute mark, using a 7-0 run to end the contest, 86-70.
UP NEXT
-The Trojans host SAC opponent Coker on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 2 pm.
