Lady Eagles Step Up, Beat UNC Asheville, 78-74
Jan. 7, 2009
ASHEVILLE, N.C.-- The Carson-Newman Lady Eagles rallied from a seven-point deficit with three minutes to play to knock off Division-I UNC Asheville on Wednesday night, 78-74, at the Justice Center in Asheville, N.C.
Carson-Newman improves to 10-3 on the season, while Asheville falls to 4-10.
Junior forward Shari Buford led the way for the Lady Eagles with 18 points and six rebounds while Mandy Mendenhall had 17 points and Ashley Kyle added 15.
"Mandy was the difference maker late," Carson-Newman Head Coach Dean Walsh said. "She hit the biggest shots, and always had an answer."
Carson-Newman (10-3) went 14-for-16 from the foul line in the second half after missing all five foul shots in the first half. The Eagles made their final 14 consecutive free throws. Asheville only went to the line nine times all night making 4-of-9.
The Lady Eagles forced 25 turnovers, led by Tykira McDaniel's four steals. Kyle added three steals, and six assists.
"Kyle ran the show well tonight," Walsh said of his junior point guard. "She read defenses well, made good passes, and made plays on the defensive end. Tykira (McDaniel) and Angela Volentine gave us great rebounding and defensive effort. This was a quality win, and should boost our confidence heading into Mars Hill this Saturday."
Ana Baker scored 21 points had seven assists, and six steals to lead Asheville. Baker fouled out with six seconds left finished the night with 342 career assists just one shy of tying Vicki Giffin for the Asheville division I assist record. She had a season-high six steals giving her 229 for her career, 15 shy of the school record.
"Ana led us tonight. She had a terrific game," said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. "We made too many mistakes tonight. Turnovers really hurt us and we fouled way too much. Give Carson-Newman credit, they are good team and they made their free throws. But tonight we just did not have the same energy we had on Monday."
Chioma Okoli netted 15 points and seven rebounds for Asheville and Lindsey Montgomery added 12 points. Jessica Monroe was just shy of double figures with nine points and nine rebounds.
Carson-Newman returns to action Saturday night to host Mars Hill in South Atlantic Conference play. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. in Jefferson City.
