Bulldogs hold off Eagles, 62-53
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — The Carson-Newman men's basketball team rallied to within two points with less than three minutes left on Monday, but Wingate answered with an 8-1 run to seal a 62-53 victory in South Atlantic Conference action at Holt Fieldhouse.
With the loss, the Eagles fall to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in the conference. Wingate improves to 4-4 on the season and 1-1 in SAC play.
C-N was unable to overcome a cold shooting night as it hit just 32.8 percent (19-of-58) of its shots, including a 4-of-16 effort from behind the arc. The Bulldogs shot 40 percent (22-of-55) from the floor and were 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
Junior guard Antonio Sullivan (Louisville, Ky.) fired in a game-high 20 points to lead the Eagles, while junior point guard Bradley Tumer (Mt. Dora, Fla.) pitched in 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Senior center Brandon Evans (Salem, Va.) added two points, six rebounds and six block on the night.
Sophomore guard Ethan Kincaid (Morganton, N.C.) led four Bulldogs in double figures with 14 points and five rebounds, while Paidrick Matilus (Boynton Beach, Fla.) tossed in 12 points, Quan Alexander (Charlotte, N.C.) added 11 and Jaime Vaughn (McDonough, Ga.) finished with 10. Sophomore forward Odell Turner (Charlotte, N.C.) netted six points, grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and tallied three steals in the win.
The teams played to a 31-31 tie late in the first half, but Wingate took the momentum into the locker room, as Matilus knocked down a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 34-31 lead at the half.
The Eagles fought back to take the lead early in the second half. A Sullivan 3-pointer at the 15:49 mark gave C-N a 40-38 advantage.
However, Wingate responded with a 14-4 run capped off by a 3-pointer by Vaughn with 6:26 remaining that gave the Bulldogs a 52-44 advantage.
C-N scrapped back one more time, pulling to within 54-52 on a layup by Tumer with 2:47 left, but the Bulldogs went on an 8-1 run to close out the game.
The Eagles return to the hardwood on Saturday at Lees-McRae. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
