Lions open season with win over NGU
Keenan Wilkins leads MHU with 14 in debut; KT Carter wins first as Lions' HC.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (1-0) opened their 2025-26 campaign with a 75-68 win over North Greenville (0-1) Friday afternoon inside Chambers Gymnasium.
A fast and furious Lions' offense in the first half shot over 42 percent from the floor, draining seven threes in the process. A balanced scoring attack saw Mars Hill lead by 24 entering the half, up 47-23. Jaheim Taylor led the squad with nine points followed by eight apiece from Keenan Wilkins and Caden Owens.
Both Owens and Alejandro Ford hit two three-pointers in the half. Christian Foy and Jon Brandtner led the team with five rebounds aside while Marvin Hires and Aljaz Vidmar led the team with two steals apiece.
In a reverse of halves, the Trailblazers clawed their way back into the contest in the second half, outscoring Mars Hill 45-28, hitting nearly 47 percent of their shots. The duo of Prince Jones-Bynum and Carter Bobbitt led the way with 13 points apiece.
Wilkins led the Lions in second half scoring with six points followed by five apiece from Hires and Foy.
Wilkins led the Lions with 14 points, adding three assists. Taylor ended the game with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Brandtner led the team with eight rebounds while Carson Evans led the group with four assists.
The win marks head coach KT Carter's first as leader of the Lions.
Mars Hill wraps up the weekend on Saturday, November 15 when they host Southern Wesleyan. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. inside Chambers Gymnasium.
