Lions fall in hard fought battle against No. 23 Carson-Newman
The Mars Hill women's basketball team (1-7, 1-7 SAC) was defeated by a score of 87-68 Monday night versus No. 23 ranked Carson-Newman (5-1, 4-0 SAC).
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (1-7, 1-7 SAC) was defeated by a score of 87-68 Monday night versus No. 23 ranked Carson-Newman (5-1, 4-0 SAC).
After several lead changes throughout opening minutes of play, a jumper from Braelyn Wykle with 4:48 played gave Carson-Newman a 13-12 lead. The basket was the catalyst for a 12-0 run to close out the first frame. Wykle led all players with 11 points in the first 10 minutes of the contest.
The second quarter saw both teams combine for 55 points with the Eagles holding the 34-21 advantage. A balanced attack saw Lindsey Taylor score nine points while Skylar Boshears and Madison Bunch each netted six apiece. The duo of De'Ja Marshall (8) and Selby Baughman (7) combined for 15 of the Lions 21 points.
Mars Hill outscored Carson-Newman in the second half, 35-30, but the large lead established after the first half helped secure the Eagles' fourth South Atlantic Conference win of the season.
In the third, Marshall exploded for 10 points, hitting five-of-eight shots from the floor. Gabby Gianikos chipped in four points. Taylor led the Eagles with seven points and four offensive rebounds, a force down low all evening.
Taylor led all players with 11 points in the final stanza, capping off a 33-point, 10 rebound performance. Gianikos led the Lions with another four points in the quarter followed by Marshall and Kyla Daniels' three apiece.
The Eagles outscored Mars Hill 58-20 in the paint while outrebounding them 49-37.
Following Taylor's game-high 33 points was Wykle's 17 on the night. Marshall led the Lions with 27 points and eight rebounds. Gianikos added 14 while Baughman finished the night with 13 points.
The Lions host Anderson on Wednesday, January 20 inside Chambers Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.