Second Half Run Powers Eagles Past Cincinnati Christian

WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury won their second straight overall, to move within one game of .500 in conference play, with an 88-71 victory over Cincinnati Christian.  Austin Flannery and Marquel Johnson both topped 20 points and combined to hit seven three-pointers.

The Eagles (9-12, 3-4 KIAC) trailed only briefly in the first half before pushing the lead out to 10 towards the end of the half.  A 7-0 run by CCU cut the lead to 41-38 at halftime but Asbury would answer with eight of the first ten points in the second half to push the lead by to nine. 

Austin Flannery (Georgetown, Ky.) scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the second half as he knocked down all three of his three-pointers in the second half.  This marks the seventh time Flannery has topped 20 points in a game this season.  Marquel Johnson (Lexington, Ky.) scored 21 in the game and made four three-pointers and got to the line ten times, making seven. 

Dakotah Euton (Georgetown, Ky.) added 16 points on six-of-10 shooting and also pulled down six rebounds and handed out five assists.  Kyle Bair (Grayson, Ky.) made his first start of the season and scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds and collected four assists.  The sophomore got to the free throw line eight times as the Eagles shot 27 free throws.  Cincinnati Christian shot only nine free throws.  Brock Hurtle (North Vernon, Ind.) came off the bench to score eight points and hand out six assists.

Asbury used a 15-0 run in the second half to pull out to a 68-48 lead and pull away from Cincinnati Christian (6-15, 2-6 KIAC).  Flannery scored eight points during the run including two three-pointers.  Cincinnati Christian would never cut the lead back to single digits.

The Eagles shot 47% while CCU connected on 42%.  Cincinnati Christian made only five-of-24 three point attempts while Asbury hit 11-of-33.  Asbury is second in the NAIA DII in three-pointers made per game at 9.9.   Asbury’s 20 assists are the most they have collected in seven games.  Asbury won the battle on the boards 43-38.  Cincinnati Christian was led by Jermel Mckenzie’s 18 points off the bench.

The Eagles jumped up to fourth in the KIAC, just a game behind Brescia for third.  Asbury will look to climb back to .500 in the KIAC on Saturday as they host St. Louis College of Pharmacy 7-9, 0-4 KIAC) as part of Think Pink Day.  The men will play at 4 p.m. with the women set to get started at 2 p.m.