Eagles Hold Off Hiwassee
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. – Another close game for the Asbury men’s basketball on Monday night, but this time the Eagles prevailed in their first road contest of the season, 75-71 over Hiwassee College. The Eagles start the season 2-1 for the fourth time in five seasons under Will Shouse.
Asbury led by as much as 15 in the second half at 65-40 with nine minutes left in the game. Hiwassee started chipping away and eventually made it a one point game with under a minute to play, eerily similar to Saturday’s game against Mid-Continent. Lee’Vaughn Morris connected on one of two free throws to make it a two point game at 73-71 and after a turnover by Hiwassee, Mitch McLeish iced the game with two free throws in the closing seconds.
McLeish finished with 10 points, one of four Eagles to score in double-digits. Adam Delph, Austin Flannery and Dakotah Euton all scored 12 points as the Eagles continue their balance attack to start the year. All four players are averaging at least 11 points per game on the season.
Delph recorded his first double-double of the season with a game-high 12 rebounds. The senior also added four assists, four steals and a block. Euton grabbed eight rebounds including three on the offensive glass as the Eagles out-rebounded the Tigers 36-31.
Asbury shot an even 50% from the floor but made just 4-of-12 from beyond the three-point line. Lee’Vaughn Morris made both of his attempts from long range and finished with nine points and five assists. Eight different Eagles made a trip to the free throw line, McLeish led the way with 11 trips, making six.
The Eagles shot 70% from the line in the game. Hiwassee shot only 44% for the game from the floor but shot their way back into the game in the second half with a 5-for-11 performance from long range. They were 0-for-5 from downtown in the first half.
Asbury will travel to Cincinnati-Clermont on Wednesday before eight days off from competition. Wednesday’s game will tip at 7 pm and live stats will be available.
