Newberry’s Season Comes to a Close Against Carson-Newman

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (USC SID) – The Newberry men’s basketball team (18-11) saw its season come to a close as the Wolves were defeated by Carson-Newman (19-10) 94-76 Wednesday night in the South Atlantic Conference Championship quarterfinal at Holt Fieldhouse.

James Stepp scored a career-high 30 points to lead all scorers. Xavier Hill contributed 12 points, while Mason Spease pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

The Wolves’ have won 18 games for the fourth consecutive season under the helm of head coach Dave Davis.

Newberry got off to a quick 5-0 lead, capped by Stepp’s three-point basket. Carson-Newman responded with a 13-2 run to take a 13-7 edge.

Sikander Nielsen knocked down a three from the corner to cut the Eagle lead to just 18-14 midway through the first half. Nielsen’s basket capped a 3-for-3 stretch from the floor for the Wolves.

Newberry missed its next ten shots from the field, allowing Carson-Newman to take a 14-point lead. Stepp buried a three from the left wing to stop the Newberry scoring drought.

The Eagles led 40-30 at halftime. Stepp led all scorers with 16 points at the break. Newberry only trailed by 10 despite shooting just 22 percent (10-for-45) from the floor. Carson-Newman shot 50 percent (19-for-38) from the field.

The Eagles started the second half 6-for-6 on field goals to force a Newberry timeout. Carson-Newman led by 20 points with 14:27 remaining in the second half. Newberry responded with an 8-0 run, cutting the Eagles lead to just 58-46.

Carson-Newman responded with a 5-0 run before Newberry cut the lead to 11 midway through the half at 63-52. The Wolves would not get any closer the rest of the evening. Carson-Newman eventually pulled away for the 96-74 victory.

The Wolves finished the contest 30.7 percent (27-for-88) from the field, compared to 55.6 percent (40-for-72) for the Eagles. Newberry posted a season-low 16 bench points and were outscored in the paint, 62-25. C-N out-rebounded Newberry 59-38, but the Wolves had the edge on the offensive glass, 17-15.

Newberry set a new Newberry and South Atlantic Conference record for most made threes in a single season with 411, according to available records.

The Wolves’ 22 steals against Erskine are tied for the most in a single contest this season in NCAA Division II.

Shaun Jones led Carson-Newman with 26 points and 18 rebounds for Carson-Newman. The Eagles will face Lincoln Memorial on Saturday in a SAC Semifinal.