BANNER ELK, N.C. --- Seniors Austin Anderson and Kendall Isler combined for 42 points and the defense forced 21 turnovers while the Lees-McRae men's basketball team thwarted North Greenville, 100-84, in Conference Carolinas action Saturday afternoon in a Senior Day game at Williams Gymnasium in Banner Elk, N.C.
The Bobcats (14-11, 10-5 CC) knocked down a season-high 17 3's while Anderson (Anderson, S.C.) scored 20+ points for the third consecutive game. The Crusaders (7-15, 4-11) enjoyed a 25-point performance from Justin Dotson and a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) from Jai Jencks.
Anderson, Isler (Winder, Ga.) and Cameron Redd (Garner, N.C.) were honored prior to the contest.
Coach Steve Hardin's squad is averaging 100 points per game in their last three home contests.
Anderson and junior Josh Gaither (Statesville, N.C.) started the three-point train early and often while LMC sprinted out to a 12-2 lead in the first 2:54.
NGU responded with consecutive triples itself to cut the deficit to four, 12-8.
The Bobcats pushed the lead to 13, 23-10, after three of their next four made field goals were from behind the arc.
Anderson scored six consecutive points before junior Jonathan Honore (Baton Rouge, La.) hit a pair of free throws, 33-19.
Honore turned in a nice evening with 15 points and three assists.
Lepreece Lynch (Winston-Salem, N.C.) accounted for five points before a triple from Honore gave LMC a 49-36 lead at the break.
Both offenses shot the ball well while the Bobcats shot 50% and NGU was good for 46.6%.
Junior Chad Hicks (Winston-Salem, N.C.) tallied a pair of buckets with an Isler three sandwiched in between to open the second half.
The Bobcat offense exploded for five made three-point shots in a span of 4:25 and Honore followed with a layup, giving LMC its largest lead of the night, 75-53.
The Crusaders hung tight and produced an 18-7 run to cut the deficit to nine, 87-78, with 3:29 remaining.
Anderson stepped up and delivered the dagger with a triple moments later.
LMC iced the game with eight consecutive made free throws and only missed two the whole game.
Lynch turned in 16 points and tied for a team-high with six rebounds.
The Bobcats welcome Pfeiffer Monday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. for a CC tilt in Williams Gymnasium.
- LMC -
