FRANKLIN, GA – The Anderson University men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season at the 2024 Conference Crossover hosted by Emmanuel College with a win over Southern Wesleyan University 83-73. The Warriors got the win in the two teams' meeting last season but the Trojans were in total control of today's contest.
"Proud of our guys. There is a lot we can clean up, but overall I was the most pleased with how we defended," head coach Jimmie Williams said. "AJ Dallas Webb and Cole played solid and led us especially in tough moments. Also, thankful for the efforts we got from newcomers, Sam Perez and Sentinel Moore. Sentinel was a huge spark for us off the bench in the second half. I love that we get to play again tomorrow. Excited to see how we play on a short turn around. I love this team."
All five starters hit double-digits in the win while Sentinel Moore (Oklahoma City, Okl.) came off the bench for seven points to round out the scoring.
The Trojans won the boards 38-36 and shot 45.6 percent as a team to the Warriors 41.5 percent. Anderson gained control less than two minutes in and never lost the lead. The Warriors won the second half 46-43 but the Trojans' 40-27 lead at the half was enough to get them the win.
The Trojans were led by sophomore Dallas Jones (Gainesville, Fla.) with a career-high 19 points on 7-14 shooting from the field and 4-7 shooting from deep. He added five rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Sam Perez (Apex, N.C.) notched a career-high 16 points, shooting perfect from the line going 6-6 and 4-7 from the field.. He added six rebounds and three assists.
Cole Middleton (Atlanta, Ga.) added 15 points, shooting 75.0 percent from the field.
Austin Webb (South Point, Ohio) had a team-high eight rebounds, 13 points, three assists and two steals.
AJ Wright Jr. (Tampa, Fla.) rounded out the double-digit scoring with 13 points of his own, three assists and two steals.
The Trojans play their second game of the tournament tomorrow, Nov. 9th at 2 p.m. when they take on Erskine College.
