HICKORY, N.C. – The Anderson University men's basketball team bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 102-96 victory at No. 15 Lenior-Rhyne on Wednesday night to round out their first pass through conference play.
 
"It's a great day to be a Trojan." Said head coach Jimmie Willims.
 
The Trojans took the initial lead of the contest with an 11-0 run in just the first five minutes of play, securing their dominance over LR for the remainder of the game. The Bears responded to each run by the Trojans for a tightly contested matchup, but ultimately Anderson took control over the court to secure their 16th win of the season.
 
"So proud of our effort tonight." added Williams. "Their security guard told me on the walk to the locker room that tonight set the all-time attendance record. What a great college basketball environment and two great teams going blow for blow. What Brent has built there is impressive. I have so much respect for him and for their team.
 
Junior Osmar Garcia Araujo (Sugar Hill, Ga.) led the Black and Gold with 25 points on the board while shooting 80% from the floor, 100% from the charity stripe and recording three assists. Defensively, he grabbed three boards and tallied two steals on the game.
 
Freshman Rashawn Inglemon (Sacramento, Calif.) added 20 points to the Trojan's total along with eight assists. He contributed five rebounds and one block to AU's defense. Redshirt-senior Kadyn Dawkins (Greensboro, N.C.) notched 17 points, going 5-for-5 from the line while anchoring the team's defense with five rebounds and three steals on the contest. Junior Dallas Jones (Gainesville, Fla.) and senior Malachai Reeves (Lexington, S.C.) both tallied 10 points to round out the Trojan's double-digit scorers. Reeves shot 100% across the board and tallied two assists while Jones added four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
Sophomore Sentinel Moore (Oklahoma City, Okla.) shot 100% from the floor and aided Anderson's defense with five boards and two blocks
 
Anderson recorded 54 points in the paint with 22 second chance points, 17 off of turnovers, and 11 fast break points. The Trojans led the game in many major statistical categories shooting 52.8% from the court and 83.3% from the free throw line along with 23 assists, 35 rebounds, and 10 steals.
 
"We knew we would be tested, especially inside tonight. For us to go out-rebound them by four tonight was probably the most significant stat that led to the win. Every time they went on a run and that place erupted, our guys had an answer. I love getting to coach a team that leaves their heart out there. They play with joy even in hostile environments. That's not normal. To God be the glory."
 
The Trojans begin their second pass through conference play when they return home on Friday, Jan. 23 to host Emory & Henry. The contest previously scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 has been moved in anticipation of the winter storm.  Tip-off is now slated for 5 p.m.