Nov. 20, 2007

Final Stats

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.-- Carson-Newman scored 67 points in the second half to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and defeat the North Georgia College Saints, 105-92 in the 2007-2008 season opener.

The Eagles (1-0) trailed in the first half after North Georgia kept the Eagles scoreless for three minutes midway through the period. A three-point play by Jakirra Millsap and two Xavier Trice free throws gave NGCSU a four-point edge with just under ten minutes to play in the first half. An Andy Tipton jumper ended the scoring drought and Clay Scott made a layup and two free throws to pull within four again at 25-21. North Georgia went on a 21-11 run to end the half to increase their lead to eight points at the break.

In the second half, the Eagles came out firing, shooting 61% from the field on 22-of-36 shooting. North Georgia led 61-50 with 15 minutes to play, but Darren Williams swished a three-pointer while Tipton and Andrew Johnson made consecutive jumpers to cut the Saint lead to 63-57. The fast-breaking Eagles scored layups by Jordan Dixon, Johnson, and Williams to pull within three points at 66-63 with 11:27 remaining. Dixon's three-point play and two Scott free throws gave the Eagles their first lead of the second half at 70-69 with just under ten minutes to play. North Georgia hung tough as Lee Burrell and Trice made consecutive treys to tie the game at 75-75. After Clay Scott knocked down another jumper, Dixon found Jesse McMurray in the right corner for a crucial three-point basket that brought the Holt Fieldhouse crowd to life and gave the Eagles a six-point lead at 82-76. Johnson then found a wide open Tipton underneath the basket and the senior from Maryville delivered a one-handed tomahawk jam to put the Eagles up by seven points. Another Williams three-pointer and solid free throw shooting sealed the 13-point victory. Williams, Cameron Sharp, Bobby Guyton, and Dixon combined to go nine-for-ten at the charity stripe in the final seconds.

Williams led C-N with 20 points while Tipton added 19, Guyton scored 15, Scott contributed 12, and Johnson scored 10 to round out the Eagle scoring in double figures. Guyton was one rebound shy of a double-double, leading the Eagles with nine rebounds. The Eagles had a 51-41 edge in rebounding on the night. Johnson collected three steals while Tipton and Guyton led the Eagle block party with two rejections apiece. LaBrian Lyons scored 23 points to lead NGCSU while Andre Morgan had 23 points, Nick Pope scored 16, and Trice added 10 points.

The Eagles return from the Thanksgiving break to begin a three-game road trip. Carson-Newman will take on the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Monday, November 26 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.