Lions take down Trojans on Senior Day
The Mars Hill men's basketball team (2-15, 2-15 SAC) defeated Anderson (6-11, 6-10 SAC) Wednesday night by a score of 88-79 to close out the regular season.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (2-15, 2-15 SAC) defeated Anderson (6-11, 6-10 SAC) Wednesday night by a score of 88-79 to close out the regular season.
Tied at five after 3:23 of play, a Nassyr Daniel jumper was the catalyst for a Lions' 7-0 run, capped off by a Reggie Wright three-pointer. Mars Hill built their lead to as many as 10 with 11:25 remaining in the first half after two Javonte Cooke free throws.
The Lions continued to make their shots down the stretch, shooting just shy of 53 percent from the floor in the first half, including going 6-of-12 on three-point attempts. Jordan Gant went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc for nine points. Cooke led all players in the half with 11 points while Kai Rivers led the Trojans with nine points. David Elkins scored seven, adding four assists and four rebounds in 15 minutes of first half action.
The Trojans opened the second half on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to four points, but the Lions regained the nine-point advantage by responding with a 5-0 run of their own. Anderson pulled within two on three separate occasions, including at the 4:31 mark of the frame. Rivers drained a three to cut the Mars Hill lead to 58-56.
A Cooke four-point play bumped the lead back to six followed up by an Isayah Johnson layup to cap off a 6-0 run. Jalen Hillery's three with 10:12 left in the contest once again cut the lead down to two, but a fighting Lions' squad responded with a 7-2 run.
Rivers, with 2:28 left saw Anderson pull within four, but a Mars Hill 5-0 run built the lead back to nine and secure their second win of the season.
Cooke and Johnson carried the Lions' offense in the second half, each posting 12 points. Rivers led the Trojans with 11 points followed by Hillery's 10.
Cooke led all players with 23 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double. Johnson added 17 while Elkins ended the night with 11 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Rivers led the Trojans with 20 points and 14 rebounds for the double-double.
Prior to the contest, seniors Reggie Wright, Nassyr Daniel, Austin Gilyard, Jordan Gant, David Elkins, and Jeremy Peck were recognized for their contributions to the Mars Hill men's basketball program.
Mars Hill clinched the No. 11 seed and will take on the No. 6 seed Wingate on Saturday, February 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
