Lions Fall to Anderson 65-59
Mars Hill dropped a 65-59 decision to SAC foe Anderson University at Stanford Arena Saturday afternoon. The Lions drop to 11-10 overall, 4-8 in conferenc e play, while Anderson improves to 7-13 overall, 5-7 in conference play.
The Lions were paced offensively by Tyler Carlson, who scored 15 points on 6-13 shooting. Danielle Tucker chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Jackie Simon added 9 points and 10 boards. Three Trojans scored in double figures, led by Amanda Parris and Tilde Ahlin with 13 points apiece. Breonda Shannon added a double-double for Anderson, scoring 12 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
Defensive pressure by each team resulted in 22 turnovers apiece, but Anderson was able to capitalize more often on the miscues, scoring 26 points off turnovers to the Lions 17. The Trojan reserves helped pace the team to victory, with 35 points coming from players off the bench.
An early run in the second half by Anderson proved too much for Mars Hill to overcome. The Lions cut a six-point halftime deficit to two on buckets by Carlson and Simon, but the Trojans responded with a 10-3 run over the next three minutes to build a 43-34 lead. That lead would hold the rest of the way, with the Lions pulling as close as five points in the final minute. A runner by Carlson was answered by a pair of free throws by Parris, and a Tucker lay-in with 11 seconds remaining was as close as the Lions would get. Tucker led a strong effort in the paint on the afternoon for the Lions, as they owned a 30-24 advantage in points in the paint.
Mars Hill jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead on buckets by Carlson and Tucker before Anderson responded in a big way. The Trojans full-court press helped hold the Lions without a field goal for nearly eight minutes, during which Anderson was able to rip off a 17-2 run to make the score 17-6 midway through the half. The Trojans scored 21 points off 15 Lions turnovers in the half.
An Ansley Ricker three broke the field goal drought for the Lions, who were able to pull off a 9-0 run to tie the score at 20-apiece with 6:12 to play in the half. Tucker scored four points during the run, which was capped by a Kristen Metcalf three. The Trojans responded with a 9-0 run of their own to go back on top and take a 33-27 lead into the break. Breonda Shannon and Emily Willoughby paced the Trojans with eight points apiece in the first half, while the Lions were led by Jackie Simon's seven points before the break.
Mars Hill will be in action at home again Wednesday night against SAC opponent Lincoln Memorial, with tip-off set for 6:00 p.m.
