Lions downed in conference opener to No. 15 Carson-Newman
The Mars Hill women's basketball team was defeated 118-55 inside Holt Fieldhouse to open up South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday evening. Baylea Loven had a team-high nine points.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team was defeated 118-55 inside Holt Fieldhouse to open up South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday evening. Baylea Loven had a team-high nine points.
Loven scored the first two baskets of the game to give the Lions a 4-0 lead. Carson-Newman, the No. 15 team in DII, was held scoreless for the opening 2:19 of the contest. Kayla Marosites layup with 7:41 remaining in the first quarter would jumpstart a 29-7 run to head into the second quarter up 31-11. Haris Price would lead the way for the Eagles, going 3-of-4 from the field for seven points while accounting for four of the five Eagles' first quarter assists.
Eight turnovers in the first 10 minutes for the Lions proved costly and continued to be a theme throughout the contest. Mars Hill would end the contest with 22 turnovers total, each one capitalized on by Carson-Newman.
The Eagles, toting the highest scoring offense in the SAC, piled on another 38 points in the second quarter. With six minutes remaining in the half, Carson-Newman would string together a 24-4 run to close out the half. Price continued her hot-hand, draining two 3-pointers on three attempts, adding another eight points and three assists. Loven had five of the Lions' 16 points in the quarter.
Carson-Newman's potent offense continued to roll, outscoring the Lions 31-11 heading into the final quarter with a 100-38 lead. Addison Byrd went 3-of-5 from the field for a quarter-high eight points. Price added five more points to finish her night with a game-high 20 points and nine assists. Brooke Vilcinskas had three points to lead Mars Hill.
The final ten minutes saw the Lions shoot their best from the field, knocking down 40 percent (6-of-15) of their shots. Valeriya Pokrovskaya had two 3-pointers to lead the Lions with six points. Byrd added another five for the Eagles to finish the contest with 13 points.
The Eagles had six players reach double-figures, including Marosites' double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Lions were outrebounded 63-28.
Mars Hill shot 30.9 percent from the field, topped by Carson-Newman's 51.2 percent.
The Lions have dropped their fifth straight and fall to 1-6 (0-1 SAC). The Eagles remain unbeaten, boasting an 8-0 (1-0 SAC) record.
Mars Hill returns to action Saturday, December 2 with an afternoon tilt against Wingate. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
