C-N staves off Catawba rally, starts SAC play 1-0
November 29, 2025

C-N staves off Catawba rally, starts SAC play 1-0

Carson-Newman (4-2, 1-0 SAC) staved off a second half Catawba (2-2) rally to hold on for a 79-75 win to begin South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Mike Mincey Interview

VIDEO: Madelyn Ladd Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (4-2, 1-0 SAC) staved off a second half Catawba (2-2) rally to hold on for a 79-75 win to begin South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.

"In the first half, we took care of the ball and shot it well," Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey said. " We came out in the third quarter and didn't take care of the basketball. Had some ill advised turnovers and didn't play clean. Catawba is a good team, if you give them opportunities they will take advantage of it. We made enough plays to win the basketball game."

After the two teams were tied at the end of the first quarter, Carson-Newman would play a fantastic second quarter to jump out to a 16-point halftime lead. Both teams traded threes to start the period, but then C-N went on a 7-0 scoring in less than two minutes to lead by seven. Catawba made its second field at the 7:13 mark, and from there the Lady Eagles went on another scoring burst scoring the next 13 points and drilling three three-pointers to lead by 16 at the break. The Indians made just three of their 13 shots in the quarter and C-N forced them into eight second quarter turnovers.

Catawba would hang around for much of the third quarter, never trailing by more than 14 in the period. It drew within eight after three free throws at the 3:48 mark of the period. Carson-Newman would score ten of the final 14 points to lead by double digits entering the fourth quarter.

The final period is when C-N would see Catawba make its run. The Lady Eagles did not make a field goal for more than five minutes to start the quarter and Catawba would draw within six. Abigail Johnson (Cookeville, Tenn.) and Emily Gonzalez (Lenoir City, Tenn.) made back-to-back baskets to push the lead back to double digits with 3:54 to play. The Indians would make a final burst over the next two minutes, scoring three layups to make it a four-point game with 1:52 left. A Julie Janus layup cut the margin to two with 29 seconds left, but Gonzalez made her free throws and a Sullivan basket in the final seconds finished out a win in the SAC opener.

Since joining the SAC, the Lady Eagles are 25-12 in SAC openers, while holding an 12-3 record under Mincey with wins in eighth of their last nine. C-N has won its first SAC home game each of the past seven seasons.

C-N has won 27 straight games when reaching the 70-point mark. The team's leading scorer by average, Jennifer Sullivan (Knoxville, Tenn.) was limited to just six points but many others picked her up in the scoring column. For the second straight game, Emily Gonzalez reset her career-high scoring 22 points on six for 13 shooting and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. Mattie Nuckolls (Chatsworth, Ga,) also reset her career-high with 16 points on four of nine shooting. Madelyn Ladd (Harriman, Tenn.) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points off the bench. Also off the bench, Abigail Johnson (Cookeville, Tenn.) and Caroline Hill (Kingsport, Tenn.) combined to make six of their nine shots and score 15 points.

"They wanted to take Jenn out of the game," Mincey said. "It was a tough night for her but that is what you get for being the team's leading scorer. Emily has been unreal during this Thanksgiving week. Certainly, Ladd came off the bench and gave us good minutes. Abigail (Johnson) was +14 and Caroline (Hill) was a +11 coming off the bench. That's what we've been looking for, to go deep in the bench and get solid production."

Sullivan's imprint on the win was still there, leading the Lady Eagles in assists with six. Keeleigh Rogers (Knoxville, Tenn.) led C-N in rebounding for the third straight game, snaring down ten boards.

Speaking of the glass, that was an area the Lady Eagles dominated in this game outrebounding Catawba 49-31 and 17-8 on the offensive glass. It's the largest rebounding margin by C-N since outrebounding UVA Wise by 24 in a 108-76 win on January 15, 2025.

Despite that strong advantage on the glass, Catawba recorded more second chance points and points in the paint than C-N.

Both teams were great from the foul line, combining to go 38-43. C-N was 17-18. That 93% day from the charity stripe is the best mark on double-digit attempts since going 18-19 against Tusculum on January 11, 2023.

Catawba put four players in double-figures led by Mary Spry's 21 points and nine rebounds.

SCORIGAMI! The 79-75 final score is the 843rd most unique score in Carson-Newman women's basketball history.

Carson-Newman has the week off and returns to action at Coker next Saturday. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 1:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 106.3 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. Fans can also view a courtside cam of the Eagle Sports Network broadcasting on press row on YouTube. 

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