Monday, February 12, 2007

LAVANTI JETER SCORES 23, PIONEERS BEAT CARSON-NEWMAN 86-74

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Lavanti Jeter poured in a career-high 23 points as the Tusculum men's basketball team defeated Carson-Newman 86-74 Monday night at Pioneer Arena in South Atlantic Conference action. The Pioneers (11-13, 4-9 SAC) sweep the season series over the Eagles (9-14, 2-10 SAC).

Jeter was one of four players in double digit scoring as he shot 10-for-12 from the floor and hauled in seven rebounds. Chris Poore added 19 points, while Jimmy Boone and Larry Minnefee finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Gabe Story finished with eight points and a game-high nine rebounds off the bench.

Carson-Newman also placed four players in double figures, including SAC Player of the Week Kente Hart who accounted for a double-double with 13 points and game-high 10 assists. Scott Williams led the Eagles with 16 points, while Deonte Williams and Jordan Dixon posted 10 points each.

Tusculum shot 52.5 percent from the field, including 18-for-30 in the first half (60%) as TC took a 51-38 lead at halftime. The Pioneers closed out the final five minutes of the half with a 13-3 run as Jeter connected on one of his three dunks on the night, followed by a bucket by Story as TC led 47-34 with 55 seconds left before intermission.

In the second half, Carson-Newman cut the deficit to eight points (53-45) with 16:55 remaining, but that's as close as the Eagles would get.

Tusculum won the battle of board by a 41-26 margin, while Carson-Newman shot 11-for-27 from beyond the arc, including four 3-pointers by Scott Williams and two each by Jesse McMurray and Andy Tipton.

Both teams will be in South Carolina on Wednesday for 8 p.m. contests. Tusculum will be at Newberry, while Carson-Newman will face Presbyterian.

- TC -