ANDERSON, S.C. -- The Anderson University men's basketball team
handed visiting Barton College their second straight loss in an
exhilarating game on Saturday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
The victory, is the fourth in a row for the Trojans Sparked by an
early Tony Anderson three-pointer, and a beautiful driving lay-up
by Brandon Young, the Trojans took a 9-7 advantage into the first
media timeout. Coming out of the timeout, a Young three-point play,
and a one-handed jam from Kevis Cornwell put the Trojans on an 11-1
run, forcing Barton to call a 30-second timeout. Yet the Bulldogs
fought back, inspired by a personal 7-0 run from Klevin Pollard
making the score 22-15 with 9:58 to play. Charles Gamble would add
a three-point play, and Pollard would add another basket, making it
a 12-0 run in all. The run got Barton back in the game with just
over nine minutes to play in the first half, as they cut the
Trojans' lead to just two. The remainder of the half would go back
and forth, and a Nick Trull three-point play evened the score at 37
with a minute to go. In a half that saw 6 ties and 4 lead changes,
Barton went into the locker room with a 41-39 edge at the half. In
an up and down start to the second half it was Tony Anderson's
three-point play with 14:56 to play that gave the Trojans a 50-47
lead. Just several minutes later, a pair of Tony Anderson
three-pointers, along with a personal 6-0 run from Brandon Young
gave Anderson a 67-55 lead with 11:15 to play. Both teams would
exchange baskets over the next couple of minutes, and a Trey
Britton tip-in gave the Trojans a 12-point lead with 6:39 to play.
Anderson would remain in control the rest of the way, taking care
of the basketball and knocking down free throws. Brandon Young hit
two free throws with 35 seconds remaining to make the final score
99-78 in favor of the Trojans. On the night it was junior guard
Cornwell who led the Trojans with a double-double. He posted 24
points and 11 rebounds. He was paced by Brandon Young who finished
with 22 points, Nick Trull who added 13 points, and Trey Britton
who finished with 11 points and six rebounds. "This is a big win,"
said head men's basketball coach Jason Taylor. "Rebounding was the
key tonight. Kevis, Taylor Shugart, and Stephen Cobb all did a
great job rebounding the basketball for us." He added, "We defended
well, and took care of the basketball especially in the second
half." The win moves Anderson to 12-3 overall, 6-3 in Conference
Carolinas play. While Barton drops to 11-5 on the season, and 7-2
in the conference. The Trojans jump back into action on Monday when
they head to Pfeiffer. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Merner
Gym.