Men’s Basketball: Eagles Rally Past Bobcats
John Holleman recorded a double-double with 20 points, and a game-high 10 rebounds to lead the Carson-Newman College (C-N) men's basketball team to a 79-76 come-from-behind victory over Lees-McRae College (LMC) in non-conference action last Saturday, Dec. 10, in Williams Gymnasium.
C-N (3-6) shot 45.6 percent from the floor on the afternoon, including a blistering 57.7 percent clip in the second half, while LMC (3-5) posted a 43.3 percent mark from the field, including an even 50 percent in the final 20 minutes. The Eagles edged the Bobcats on the glass by a 39-36 margin, including a 31-23 advantage on the defensive boards.
Leading the way for the Bobcats was senior Adam McFerran, who poured in a game-high 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting, while nearly missing a double-double with a squad-best nine rebounds. Daniel Sepokas and Tevin Friday joined McFerran in double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively, as Sepokas chipped in a game-high four steals. Dairl Scott, Jr. added eight points and five rebounds, while Reshon Benjamin also dished out a team-high five assists for the Bobcats.
Holleman paced the Eagles with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while pulling down 10 boards and converting each of his eight free throw attempts. Antonio Sullivan joined Holleman in double figures with 16 points, while Ishmael Sanders and Collin Crane chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Sanders also dished out a game-high eight assists, while Kevin Hare posted a contest-best two blocks.
LMC started strong, scoring the game's first 10 points before C-N responded, launching a 10-5 run to cut the lead to 15-10 on a Crane layup with10:27 to play in the half. The Bobcats answered with a spurt of their own, opening their largest lead of the game at 30-14 with a McFerran triple at the 6:52 mark, on the heels of a 15-4 run. C-N charged back, closing the half with a 17-6 run surge to cut the margin to 36-31 at the intermission.
The Eagles carried the momentum into the second half, slowly chipping away at the lead until they charged forward with a 12-4 spurt midway through the period, taking their first lead of the game at 52-51 on a Sullivan triple with11:28 to play. After C-N pushed the lead to 56-51 with a pair of quick baskets, the Bobcats answered, launching a 6-0 spurt to reclaim the advantage at 57-56 on McFerran's jumper with 9:21 left on the clock.
C-N answered with a 7-0 spurt of its own, opening its largest lead of the game at 63-57 with6:57 to play on a Holleman jumper. LMC refused to give in, battling back to take a 66-65 lead on a Scott layup at the 5:09 mark.
The Eagles answered with a 9-2 run to reclaim the advantage and push the lead to 74-68 with less than two minutes to play, capping the spurt with a Holleman layup at the1:44 mark. LMC exercised exceptional clock management over the next minute and a half, cutting the lead to 77-76 on a clutch three-pointer by Sam Youse with 13 seconds to play.
Sullivan connected on both free throws after the resulting Bobcat foul, pushing the lead to 79-76 and forcing LMC into another three-point situation. After the Eagles forced an ill-timed Bobcat miscue, LMC returned the favor, as Sepokas picked off the inbound attempt at mid-court with three seconds left. C-N held on for the narrow victory, as the Bobcats' tying attempt fell short as time expired.
Justice, Henderson Earn ConferenceCarolinas Scholar-Athlete Honors
Leading the way for the Bobcats was senior Adam McFerran, who poured in a game-high 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting, while nearly missing a double-double with a squad-best nine rebounds. Daniel Sepokas and Tevin Friday joined McFerran in double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively, as Sepokas chipped in a game-high four steals. Dairl Scott, Jr. added eight points and five rebounds, while Reshon Benjamin also dished out a team-high five assists for the Bobcats.
Holleman paced the Eagles with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while pulling down 10 boards and converting each of his eight free throw attempts. Antonio Sullivan joined Holleman in double figures with 16 points, while Ishmael Sanders and Collin Crane chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Sanders also dished out a game-high eight assists, while Kevin Hare posted a contest-best two blocks.
LMC started strong, scoring the game's first 10 points before C-N responded, launching a 10-5 run to cut the lead to 15-10 on a Crane layup with
The Eagles carried the momentum into the second half, slowly chipping away at the lead until they charged forward with a 12-4 spurt midway through the period, taking their first lead of the game at 52-51 on a Sullivan triple with
C-N answered with a 7-0 spurt of its own, opening its largest lead of the game at 63-57 with
The Eagles answered with a 9-2 run to reclaim the advantage and push the lead to 74-68 with less than two minutes to play, capping the spurt with a Holleman layup at the
Sullivan connected on both free throws after the resulting Bobcat foul, pushing the lead to 79-76 and forcing LMC into another three-point situation. After the Eagles forced an ill-timed Bobcat miscue, LMC returned the favor, as Sepokas picked off the inbound attempt at mid-court with three seconds left. C-N held on for the narrow victory, as the Bobcats' tying attempt fell short as time expired.
Justice, Henderson Earn Conference
LMC senior middle blocker Whitney Justice has been named the Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Scholar Athlete, announced league officials last Wednesday, Dec. 8.
Justice has been an integral part of LMC’s success over the last four seasons, garnering Conference Carolinas Player of the Year honors in each of the last two years and leading the Bobcats to three conference titles in that span. The six-foot middle blocker capped her career with a match-high 12 kills againstWingate University
The 2009AVCA All-American has led the Bobcats to three conference titles during her four-year career, leading the league in hitting percentage in each of the last two seasons. Justice posted an outstanding season this fall in conference play, recording a blistering .450 hitting percentage against league opponents to lead the Bobcats to a perfect 18-0 mark in Conference Carolinas action, capping the program's 12th league title in the last 13 years.
Justice has been an integral part of LMC’s success over the last four seasons, garnering Conference Carolinas Player of the Year honors in each of the last two years and leading the Bobcats to three conference titles in that span. The six-foot middle blocker capped her career with a match-high 12 kills against
The 2009
During her career, Justice garnered all-conference first team honors twice, all-region recognition in back-to-back seasons, conference tournament MVP honors twice, as well as a spot on the 2009
LMC ended its season with a 25-8 record, including a perfect 18-0 mark in conference play en route to the program's 12th league title in the past 13 years.
LMC senior Hannah Henderson has been named the Conference Carolinas Women's Cross Country Scholar Athlete, announced league officials Wednesday, Dec. 8.
Henderson
The Communication Arts major transferred to LMC from NCAA Division I member
