Benson nets 300th career win, Eagles power past Cavs 78-69
January 22, 2020

Benson nets 300th career win, Eagles power past Cavs 78-69

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Guided by clampdown defense and some big buckets late, Carson-Newman (7-10, 4-7 South Atlantic Conference) pulled out a 78-69 win over UVa-Wise (5-11, 1-10 SAC) Wednesday night at Holt Fieldhouse to get head men’s basketball coach Chuck Benson his 300th career victory. 

VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Luke Brenegan Interview

VIDEO: Trey Smith Interview  

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Guided by clampdown defense and some big buckets late, Carson-Newman (7-10, 4-7 South Atlantic Conference) pulled out a 78-69 win over UVa-Wise (5-11, 1-10 SAC) Wednesday night at Holt Fieldhouse to get head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson his 300th career victory. 

Benson becomes the third active coach in the league with 300 career wins and the sixth overall. 

"I've been very fortunate and bless to be around a lot of players, assistants and support staff who have been around this journey and dream," Benson said. "I've been fortunate to work with outstanding athletic directors and presidents.  I've been a lucky guy who's just been blessed by being around great people. Hopefully we can do this for a few more years."

The win keeps Carson-Newman perfect all-time against the Highland Cavaliers. C-N is now 12-0 all-time against the University of Virginia's College at Wise. 

Carson-Newman limited the Highland Cavaliers to 36.9 percent shooting.  UVa-Wise was 26.9 percent from long range on 7-of-26 shooting.  Meanwhile, the Eagles shot 46.4 percent from the field and 10-for-24 (41.7 percent) from deep.  Carson-Newman's offense was highly effective after halftime. The Eagles were 5-of-9 from three-point land and made 54 percent of their shots overall after the break. 

"Three of our last four games, guys have done a really good job executing the scout defensively," Benson said. "That's in terms of personnel and the scheme.  They defended Cameron Whiteside well tonight and impacted an elite shooter Parris Briggs efficiency.  Our team is doing a much better job executing that scout."

Cameron Whiteside came into the contest leading the league in scoring in conference games only with 22.6 points per contest.  C-N limited him to 18 on 6-of-15 shooting, his first contest below 20 points in four games.  The Eagles also impacted the efficiency of Briggs Parris, the Cavs second leading scorer.  He came in averaging 14 a night with 42 percent shooting from three. C-N held him to seven points. He was 2-of-10 from the field and 1-for-6 from three. 

Carson-Newman only had three players in double-figures, but all nine Eagles who played scored. Six players scored at least seven points. 

Tripp Davis (Nashville, Tenn.) led C-N in scoring for a seventh straight game. He had 16 points, including a quintet of points in the final five minutes of the contest. Davis also added in three boards, five assists and a pair of steals. 

Luke Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) added in 13 points and four boards. He was hyper-effective from the field, making 4-of-5 shots and all three of his three-point field goals.   

Trey Smith (Boiling Springs, S.C.) turned in his second straight double-digit scoring effort, getting within one of his career high for his freshman season. Smith finished with 11 points. He was 4-of-5 from the field and 3-for-4 from deep.  Smith has scored 23 points in the last two games. He had scored 19 points in the first 15 games of the year for C-N. 

"Trey, like all freshmen, wanted to play from day one," Benson said. "But there's that reality that there's that transitional phase.  He was patient and stayed invested in the things we were asking him to improve and work on.  He got his chance tonight.  We knew about his shot-making.  The more important thing is that he defended well. That's the thing that gives you more confidence, and it's fair to say he'll play more because he is doing things that generate confidence."

Aside from Whiteside's 18, the Cavs had three others score 10 or more.  Chance Sheffey chipped in 17, while Tajh Eason and Izeak Parker had 11 and 10, respectively. 

UVa-Wise seized control of the game briefly in the first period thanks a six-minute stretch where the Eagles turned the ball over six times. The Cavs rattled off a 10-0 run to take a 28-24 lead with 4:22 to play in the first off a Whiteside steal and a Parris layup on the break.  However, the Eagles found their footing quickly.  Back-to-back triples from Smith and Nick Rogers (Knoxville, Tenn.) closed the half for Carson-Newman and gave C-N a 36-32 halftime break.

The Eagles wouldn't trail the rest of the way.  C-N stretched its lead to 11 midway through the second half.  Carson-Newman scored nine straight to grab a 52-43 lead with under 12:30 play after Bryant Thomas (Charlotte, N.C.) thundered home a dunk. Three minutes later, Smith stuck in a 28-foot three from in front of the Eagles' bench to give C-N its biggest lead of the night, 59-48 with 10:02 to play. 

The Cavs would respond.  UVa-Wise rattled off a 7-0 run in 70 seconds to get within two, 64-62 after a Sheffey three and a Parker turnaround jumper with 5:29 to play.  However, Brenegan drilled a three from the head of the key in response to push the lead back to five. It was as close as the Cavs would get the rest of the way. 

"We have been very intentional about teach our guys what winning time is and what it demands," Benson said. "We're trying to act like winners in practice so that it can translate it to the game.  Credit goes to our guys for the desire to get better and learn how to win games.  Tonight was a great opportunity and display for positive winning-time play."

Davis had the biggest answer of the night, drilling a three from the head of the key with 54 seconds left to give C-N an eight point lead and the game.

Carson-Newman outrebounded the Cavs 45-29 on the night. 

Carson-Newman begins a stretch of four of its next five away from Holt Fieldhouse. The Eagles trek to Wingate Saturday for a 4 p.m. tipoff with the Bulldogs.  Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sport Network starts at 3:45 with the AEC Countdown To Tipoff on The Mountain 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. 

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