Eagles Hold On For Victory
Wilmore, KY----The Asbury College men's basketball team bounced back after a road loss on Thursday night with a big KIAC win on Saturday night against Berea 78-77. The Eagles had to fight off the Mountaineers to the very end as Berea's Mikah Turner missed a contested shot with less than five seconds on the clock.
Asbury (15-8, 4-3) was led by sophomore Jordan Hammonds' 21 points. Senior Michael Spann and junior Brian Johnson were also in double figures with 17 and 16 respectively. Johnson finished with a double-double adding a game high 10 rebounds. He also led the team with six assists. The Eagles stayed right on their season pace knocking down 10-of-28 3-pointers. Spann and Hammonds each hit three for Asbury. Berea had five players in double figures, led by Turner's 21.
Berea's size helped them dominate the glass winning the rebounding battle 47 to 31. The Mountaineers grabbed 19 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second chance points. The Eagles would use their stroke from deep to combat the size differential. Asbury continued a season-long slump from the free throw line, hitting only 4-of-11 from the line including an 0-for-7 second half. Johnson missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 3 seconds left that gave Berea one last chance. After a timeout Berea's pass down court was knocked away to seal the Eagles' victory.
Asbury will head to Pippa Passes on Tuesday February 10th for a showdown with Alice Lloyd College. The men will follow the women's game at 6pm.
