Sanders' late heroics lifts Eagles past Erskine in overtime, 73-70
HARROGATE, Tenn. –Carson-Newman’s Ishmael Sanders made the go-ahead three-pointer with 38 seconds left in overtime and added a steal-and-score in the final 10 seconds to lead the Eagles past Erskine College, 73-70, in the SAC/Carolinas Conference Challenge on Saturday afternoon in Harrogate, Tenn.
HARROGATE, Tenn. –Carson-Newman's Ishmael Sanders made the go-ahead three-pointer with 38 seconds left in overtime and added a steal-and-score in the final 10 seconds to lead the Eagles past Erskine College, 73-70, in the SAC/Carolinas Conference Challenge on Saturday afternoon in Harrogate, Tenn.
C-N led by as many as 17 in the first half before having to force overtime in the final minute.
The Eagles improve to 1-1 overall, while Erskine falls to 0-2.
Sanders knocked down a three to give the Eagles a 71-70 lead in the final minute of overtime and came up with a steal from the Flying Fleet's Corey Sorrell to help seal the win. C-N's Kevin Hare came up with a steal as time expired to keep Erskine from having a shot at tie.
Carson-Newman built a 17-point first half lead on a three-pointer by Antoine Davis at the 3:20 mark of the first half at 38-21.
C-N took advantage of cold-shooting Erskine, holding the Fleet to just 3-of-26 from three-point range to start the game. It made 5-of-8 to close the game.
The Eagles led by five with just under five minutes to play when the Fleet put together an 8-0 run to take the lead at 57-54 with 2:07 to play.
C-N would get three buckets in the final 90 seconds to force three times. The final score coming on a Hare layup with nine seconds to play, ending regulation at 61-61.
There were seven lead changes in overtime before Sanders two late scores gave the Eagles the lead for good.
Sanders led all scorers with 26 points. He was 9-of-22 from the floor. Davis added 23 and six boards. Hare added 11 and Ray Likely gave C-N a 2-for-2 effort from beyond the arc to finish with eight points.
Sorrell led Erskine with 23 points.
C-N committed only 12 turnovers after committing 23 against King the night before.
The Eagles return to action next weekend against Cincinnati Christian College and King College in the Dick Campbell Memorial Classic.
-C-N-
