March 6, 2008

Final Stats

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Third-seeded Carson-Newman outscored Mars Hill 44-25 in the second half to beat the sixth-seeded Lions 75-55 in the first round of the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament Wednesday night in Jefferson City.

Carson-Newman (15-13, 8-7 SAC) advances to Saturday night's semifinals, where it will face the second-seeded Wingate Bulldogs.

The Lady Eagles used a fast start to build an early 22-6 advantage, but Mars Hill, behind Jessica Blanford's 12 first-half points, cut the C-N lead to 31-30 at the break. Blanford hit three straight mid-range jumpers shots for the Lions, as Mars Hill seized the momentum heading into the half.

After trading buckets for the opening minutes of the second half, C-N exploded on a 16-0 run to turn a two-point lead into a 58-40 game.

Junior Angela Volentine had 10 points during the spurt, including two steals that went for breakaway layups. She finished with 19 points.

Sophomore Shari Buford turned in another productive night, leading the Lady Eagles with 20 points. She also had nine boards. Junior Lindsey Eggleston poured in 11 points, and Emily Mason added 10.

Senior Allison Shafer led Mars Hill with 17 points. Blanford finished with 12.

Mars Hill finishes its season 15-13 overall and 5-11 in the SAC.

C-N's semifinals matchup with Wingate is at 8 p.m. Saturday night at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, North Carolina.