Men's Basketball Cruises Past Piedmont International

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Lions defeated Piedmont International 126-89 in non-conference men's basketball action Monday night in Stanford Arena. Mars Hill evened their season record to 4-4 while the Bruins fell to 0-9 on the year.

Justin Yeargin and Surmon Neal led the Lions scoring 17 points apiece. Neal was 4-5 from behind the arc. Jalen Witherspoon and Brandon McCarter added 14 points each while Tyree Griffin and Valentine Bauer tallied 10 points for the Lions. Mars Hill scored 50 points in the paint, 16 off the break and received 66 points from their bench. As a team, Mars Hill set season highs in total points (126), field goal percentage (59.2%), 3-point field goal percentage (51.9%), 3-pointers made (14), free throws made (22) and free throws attempted (32). Mars Hill out rebounded the Bruins, 45-34.

Nathan Hewitt led the Bruins with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Scippio followed with 20 points while Justine Valentine and Timothy Worles added 19 points apiece.

Griffin hit a high percentage shot with 18:33 left in the first half to give the Lions a 2-0 advantage and Mars Hill would lead from wire-to-wire. A 3-pointer by Patrick Monroe gave the Lions a 16-5 lead with 15:05 left in the first frame. A dunk by Jalen Witherspoon ended the scoring in the first half to give the Lions a 24-point advantage (65-41) at the break.

The Lions went on a 27-15 run to open the second half and lead by 36 points (92-56) with 12:50 on the clock after McCarter hit a couple of free throws. The Bruins cut the deficit to 26 points with 8:27 left in the second stanza after Worles hit a shot from behind the arc but that was as close as they would get. Mars Hill's largest lead of 42 points (126-84) came with 1:15 left in regulation after Neal hit three shots at the charity stripe after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Mars Hill will host SAC rival Catawba on Saturday, December 13. Tip-off in Stanford Arena is set for 4 p.m.