Lions close out 2019 with exhibition versus ETSU
The Mars Hill men's basketball team took on East Tennessee State University in exhibition play Sunday afternoon to close out their 2019 schedule.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team took on East Tennessee State University in exhibition play, falling 117-48 Sunday afternoon to close out their 2019 schedule.
The Buccaneers opened on a 13-2 run in the opening 3:28 of the contest. With 11:19 left in the first half, Jamal Bryant's jumper cut the deficit to 10, 25-15, and was followed by a Mars Hill timeout.
ETSU reeled off 15 straight points after the timeout call to go up 40-25 with six minutes remaining in the half. The Buccaneers closed out the frame with a 61-26 advantage after 20 minutes played.
Bryant led the Lions with eight points in the half followed by Javonte Cooke's seven. Both Jeromy Rodriguez and Bo Hodges recorded 12 points for ETSU in the first half of play.
The Buccaneers continued their hot shooting in the second half, hitting 50 percent of their shots, including seven three-pointers. Joe Hugley led the balanced scoring attack with nine points. Justen Hartfield led the Lions with five points in the half while David Elkins pulled down four rebounds.
Bryant ended the contest with a team-high 10 points while Cooke finished with nine.
Mars Hill returns to action and South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday, January 4th as they kickoff 2020 versus Wingate on the road. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.