WISE, Va. – Lees-McRae men's basketball started their 2023-24 season at the South Atlantic Conference vs. Conference Carolinas Crossover Challenge with Carson-Newman on Saturday.
Sidney Dollar had 13 points and nine rebounds, but the Eagles took the matchup by a final of 101-77.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 77; Carson-Newman – 101
LOCATION: Prior Center – Wise, Virginia
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (0-1/0-0); Carson-Newman (1-0/0-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Six Lees-McRae players scored double figures on Saturday with Dollar leading the way with 13 points on 6-13 shooting. Jaylin Stewart followed with 12 points in 19 minutes and LJ Rogers collected 11 points on 4-8 from the floor. Nico Ashley and Timon Jones each had 10 points in the contest.
- Lees-McRae shot 41.1% (30-73) from the field with six made three-pointers and 11-19 from the free-throw line.The Bobcats held the margin in bench points, 41-27, and points off turnovers, 18-17.
- Dollar knocked in a jumper with 30 seconds remaining in the first half as the Bobcats headed into the halftime break down by five against Carson-Newman.
- Jeremy Golson connected on two free throws at the 17:56 mark of the second half to cut the deficit to two points at 52-50, but the Eagles pushed their lead to 21 points at 83-62 with a jumper from Jack Browder and earned the 101-77 victory on Saturday in Wise, Virginia.
FOR THE EAGLES:
- Carson-Newman shot a solid 54.0% from the floor with 34 made baskets and 10-20 from beyond the arc. The Eagles also made their free throws count with 23-27 from the charity stripe.
- John Zhao had a game-high 28 points on 10-12 shooting and 5-6 from three-point range. Browder poured in 22 points in 34 minutes for Carson-Newman. Ben Beeker and Nick Brenegan had 11 points apiece and Ousman Dia followed with 10 points on a perfect 4-4 from the field.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae makes the quick turnaround tomorrow afternoon in Wise, Virginia as they take on UVA Wise at 4 p.m. inside the Prior Center.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
