Lions Fall to Tusculum on Senior Night
MARS HILL, N.C. – Senior Michael Carson poured in a team-high 21 points off the bench but it was not enough as the Mars Hill men’s basketball team lost to Tusculum on Wednesday, February 24 at Stanford Arena. The Pioneers were able to secure the victory by a score of 91-82.
MARS HILL, N.C. – Senior Michael Carson poured in a team-high 21 points off the bench but it was not enough as the Mars Hill men's basketball team lost to Tusculum on Wednesday, February 24 at Stanford Arena. The Pioneers were able to secure the victory by a score of 91-82. MHU drops to 9-18 overall and 5-16 within the conference while Tusculum improves to 13-14, 8-13.
Patrick Monroe chipped in 19 points and eight boards while Jalen Witherspoon and Justin Yeargin pitched in 18 and 17 points, respectively. The Lions struggled from the floor for the game shooting a cold 39% on 30-77, including 13-33 from behind the arc.
The Pioneers raced quickly out to a double-digit lead of 16-6 just four minutes into the contest following a fast-break dunk. However, a masterful 11-0 run from the Blue and Gold gave them their first lead of the contest at 17-16 after a layup from Brandon McCarter with 11:53 remaining in the opening half.
TC collected 10 of the next 15 points to push ahead 26-22 heading into the second media timeout of the half. The game became rather nip-and-tuck following the brief intermission as neither team could gain a definitive advantage. A three pointer from Witherspoon at the 2:43 mark knotted the contest at 36-all. The Pioneers were able to take a 42-38 lead into the break, finishing the half on a 6-2 run.
The two teams traded the initial 14 points of the second half before Monroe knocked down a three off of an offensive rebound to trim the deficit to 49-48 with 17:23 remaining in regulation. The Lions were finally able to push ahead in the contest 53-51 when Witherspoon ran off five straight points, capped off by a contested three from the right wing.
Tusculum quickly regained control of the matchup with a 10-2 run to take a 61-55 lead with just under 14 remaining in the half. A jumper from Darius Carter at the 9:38 mark gave the Pioneers their biggest lead of the ballgame at 70-62. That lead quickly disappeared when the Blue and Gold went on an 11-3 run, fueled by timely outside shooting, to knot the contest at 73-73.
Unfortunately, every time Mars Hill would claw its way back, Tusculum would find a way to answer, this time with a mini 12-7 run to recapture the lead 85-80 with three minutes remaining. This time they would relinquish that lead, eventually dropping the Lions 91-82.
Mars Hill will return to action on Saturday, February 27 as they travel to Hickory, N.C. for a showdown with the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne. That contest is set to begin at 4 p.m.