ETSU tops Eagles in exhibition action, 87-59

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 5, 2011) – Carson-Newman's Antoine Davis led all scorers with 20 points, but East Tennessee State picked up the exhibition win, 87-59 on Saturday afternoon in Johnson City.

Davis led the cold shooting Eagles, knocking down 7-of-15 shots from the floor in the loss. He made 5-of-12 three-point attempts. Carson struggled to make long-range jumpers. The Eagles hit 7-of-28 three-point attempts.

Carson-Newman opens the regulars season on Friday when the Eagles face Kingg College at 6 p.m. in Harrogate, Tenn. The Eagles open at home Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. against Cincinnati Christian.

The Buccaneers were forced to play their final preseason game shorthanded, as senior guard Adam Sollazzo (Tampa), junior guard Marcus Dubose (Hartsville, S.C.) and junior forward Lukas Poderis (Port Richey, Fla.) all sat out with injuries. However, ETSU made up for those absences by forcing 24 turnovers and getting double-figure scoring from four other players.

Senior post Isiah Brown (Miami, Fla.) finished with a double-double thanks to his 19-point, 12-rebound effort, while junior guard Jarvis Jones (Memphis) also posted a 19-point game. In addition, junior guard Sheldon Cooley (Tampa) netted 17 points and dished out seven assists, while freshman guard Rashawn Rembert (Tampa) scored 14 points in his ETSU debut.

For the game, the Bucs out-rebounded the Eagles 44-27 and enjoyed a 20-7 advantage on points off turnovers. In addition, ETSU shot 41 percent from 3-point range, while holding C-N to just 38 percent from the floor and 25 percent from beyond the arc.

In the first half, the Bucs poured on the defensive pressure while also hitting from beyond the 3-point arc, roaring out to a quick 19-3 advantage in the opening minutes and ultimately building a sizeable 49-21 lead at the break.

ETSU forced 14 turnovers and grabbed six steals in the first 20 minutes, while also shooting 43 percent (9-of-21) from 3-point range and 83 percent (10-of-12) from the charity stripe.

Jones and Cooley both netted 13 points apiece before the break, hitting on a strong 6-of-11 shots from 3-point range.

After the break, the Bucs kept up the pressure on and never let the Eagles cut into their halftime advantage.

Jared Johnson and Kennedy Eubanks scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Eagles.