Pioneers Pull Away For Late Victory

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill men's basketball team lost to Tusculum 96-87 in South Atlantic Conference action on Thursday night. Tusculum improves to 3-16 and 2-11 in the league with the win, while Mars Hill falls to 3-15 and 1-12 in the conference.

Devonte Williams led Mars Hill with 25 points. Isaiah Cuthbertson posted a double-double with 17 points and a game high 12 rebounds. Carter Wright scored 15 points, with Will White contributing 11 points.

Tusculum was led by Jalen Walker's 23 points and 10 rebounds. Darius Carter scored 19 points, with Neal Spinks scoring 14, Addison Flynn with 13 and Keith Jumper scoring 11 points.

Mars Hill raced out to a six point lead, 13-7 just over three minutes into the game before the Pioneers went on a 13-6 run to take a 20-19 lead with 12:21 to play in the half. Tusculum led by as many as four points before the Lions reclaimed the lead, 32-30, on a Will White 3-pointer with 7:14 remaining. Mars Hill enjoyed a seven point lead, 48-41, at halftime.

Mars Hill maintained a seven point advantage, 54-47, before Tusculum trimmed the Mars Hill lead to one, 61-60, with 13:52 to play. The Lions enjoyed a three point lead before the Pioneers tied the game at 66. Mars Hill led 72-70 thanks to a Will White layup before the Pioneers retook the lead, 73-72, on a Darius Carter free throw with 8:40 remaining. Thomas Anderson's jumper with 7:08 to play gave the Lions a 76-75 lead, but Jumper's bucket with 6:42 to play gave the Pioneers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Tusculum outscored the Lions 19-11 to close out the game.

Tusculum had 19 turnovers, while the Lions turned the ball over 21 times. The teams combined for 53 fouls, 26 of them called on the Lions.

The Lions hit the road on Saturday, traveling to Wingate for a 4 p.m. start.