HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The William Carey Men's Basketball Team used a strong defensive performance to defeat Truett McConnell University 100-71 Friday night at Clinton Gym.
"I thought we played a complete game, both offensively and defensively," said Head Coach Steve Knight. "Shot it extremely well, that always helps, but we had 13 steals, 18 assists and only 6 turnovers. Our defense was very active and caused them some problems."
After a dunk by Ankerion Gross to open the game, the Carey defense forced three turnovers but could only manage two points off them. The Bears settled in on offense, going on a 6-0 run to take the lead with sixteen minutes left.
After trading shots, four different Crusaders combined for ten straight points to make it 21-10 Carey. TMU managed to cut the deficit to four behind a 7-0 run, but WCU responded with a 12-2 run with a jumper by Makeem Roberts pushing the Crusader lead to fourteen with seven minutes left in the half.
Over the final minutes of the half the WCU offense continued their hot shooting, stretching their lead to as many as twenty-two points on their way to a 50-30 lead at the break. Despite being out rebounded 21-9, the Crusaders won the turnover battle 10-2 and outshot the Bears 59% to 35%.
WCU picked up where they left off in the first half, opening the second half on a 12-4 run to push their lead to twenty-six four minutes in. From there it was all Carey, as they led by as many as twenty-nine points on their way to victory.
For the second half, Carey again was out rebounded but only by one and again won the turnover battle 10-4 and with the ten turnovers in the first half, led to a total of twenty-five points for the game.
Four different Crusaders finished in double figures with Cam Brown leading the way with twenty-four points. Ankerion Gross and Jamar Jenkins each finished with sixteen points with Dylan Brumfield adding fourteen points.
Carey is back in action Tuesday, December 17, as they take on Dalton State in SSAC action. Play is set to begin at 5:00 pm at Clinton Gym.
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