Box score
HICKORY, N.C. - Paced by junior Taylor Shugart's season-high 24
points, the Anderson men's basketball team topped Lenoir-Rhyne,
69-61, Wednesday night at Shuford Gymnasium.
Shugart, who posted his previous season-high of 18 points just
last Saturday, has reached double-figure scoring in the last four
contests and narrowly missed his second consecutive double-double
by recording a game-high nine rebounds.
Anderson (14-7, 8-3 SAC) won its third in a row and fourth in
its last five contests en route to earning a season-sweep past the
Bears after defeating L-R, 87-61, earlier this season. Lenoir-Rhyne
(2-17, 1-10 SAC) suffered its 11th consecutive setback.
The opening five minutes featured six lead changes before the
Trojans edged out to a 15-7 lead with 12:37 left in the opening
half on a jumper by senior Kevis Cornwell.
Lenoir-Rhyne trimmed the AU lead to 19-17 with just less than
eight minutes remaining, but the Trojans countered with seven
unanswered points as Oskars Ernsteins drained a 3-pointer and
Shugart dropped in back-to-back baskets inside the paint, pushing
AU's advantage back to 26-17 with 5:12 left in the half.
After claiming its largest lead of the game, 37-24, at
intermission, Anderson held the lead throughout the second stanza,
holding at least a five-point cushion through the final 20
minutes.
Junior Tyrell McDowell added 12 points for the Trojans, with
Trey Britton tallying 10 points and pulling down six rebounds.
Senior guard Kevis Cornwell handed out a game-high six assists on
the night.
Anderson returns home for a brief one-game homestand on Saturday
when Mars Hill invades the Abney Center looking to avenge an
earlier nine-point loss to the Trojans. Tip-off is scheduled for 4
p.m.