Anderson University

SALISBURY, N.C. - Anderson University Men's Basketball (23-1, 17-2) delivered conference opponent Catawba (18-7, 13-6 SAC) its first home loss since last year in a tightly contested matchup on Wednesday evening.
 
"Really proud of our guys tonight." said head coach Jimmie Williams. "Two really good defensive teams giving everything they have. You can see why they were undefeated at home before tonight. Gym was packed and loud with a big-time student section. Catawba plays so hard. There are two types of teams out there, teams that love that environment and teams that fear that environment."
 
The Trojans started the contest with a 5-0 run early in the first before Catawba tied the game with 2:30 left in the half. After the break, Anderson found a consistent rhythm for a 17-point lead. As the second half progressed, Catawba attempted to close the growing gap, but Anderson continued to silence their opponent.             
 
"Proud of our team's belief in each other and in their preparation." added Williams. "Our biggest wins of the year have come in front of the biggest crowds. Our bench was huge tonight. Sentinel Moore, Caleb McAbee and Dallas Jones were all outstanding. We really focused on the importance of winning the battle on the glass tonight. Catawba is in the top ten in the country in rebound margin and offensive rebounds per game. Our guys answered the bell in the glass tonight, especially O and AJ."
 
Freshman Rashawn Inglemon (Sacramento, Calif.) led the Trojans to the victory with 27 points on the board, shooting 72.7% overall, 70% from behind the arc and 100% from the charity stripe while also adding one rebound, one assist and two steals.
 
"Rashawn Inglemon is such a tough matchup and fearless warrior. He hit some bombs tonight at the right time. He plays with such belief, and he puts the work in to earn the right to play the way he does in big moments."
 
Redshirt-senior Kadyn Dawkins (Greensboro, N.C.) added 18 points to the Trojans final tally of 92, shooting 54.5% from the floor and going 6-for-6 for a perfect free throw percentage on the night. Junior Osmar Garcia-Araujo (Sugar Hill, Ga.) rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Black and Gold with 12 points to fill in the stats sheet with a 60.0% field goal percentage. He also led the Trojans defensively to the victory, grabbing nine boards and denying Catawba two buckets.
 
Junior Dallas Jones (Gainesville, Fla.) and sophomore Sentinel Moore (Oklahoma City, Okla.) each notched nine points with a 100% free throw percentage. Jones also recorded a perfect shooting percentage from the floor, making all four shots he took. Also contributing to the Black and Gold's final stats was junior AJ Wright Jr. (Clearwater, Fla.) putting up seven points and seven rebounds to fill in the stat sheet along with
 
The contest between the Anderson Trojans and the Catawba Indians was physical on both sides with 46 personal fouls committed between the two teams and one technical foul on Catawba. Anderson led the game across the board, shooting 59.2% from the floor, 52.9% from deep and 73.5% from the line. Defensively, the Trojans tallied 32 rebounds, 10 steals and two blocks.                                                                                         
 
"Having multiple ball handlers out there at all times is so big against their press having AJ, KD, Caleb and Rashawn out there a bunch." Proud of this team and excited to get back into Abney Saturday to honor our seniors and play another big SAC opponent. I love this team."
 
The Black and Gold return home on Saturday, Feb. 21 for the final stretch of regular season play when they host UVA Wise. The contest is slated for 4 p.m.