Eagles Drop Home Opener

WILMORE, Ky. – The Eagles could not hold a late second half lead as they dropped their home opener 88-83 to Kentucky Christian on Tuesday night.  The Eagles snap a five-game winning streak against the Lady Knights and fall to 7-14 all-time in home openers.

Trenia Barbee’s 27 points were not enough on this night as Kentucky Christian shot 56% from in the floor in the game and 68% in the second half.  Asbury would shoot only 45% from the floor in the game.

Asbury (2-4) went to the half down by seven at 39-32, but would take the lead back in the first six minutes at 52-50.  The Eagles would hold the lead for the next 11 minutes but the Lady Knights (7-0) would make an 18-4 run near the end of the game to pull out the victory.  Tanya Bowens led KCU with 22 points and Autumn Carter added 20.

Barbee’s 27 points are the most for the transfer junior this season and the highest total for any Eagle this season.  Barbee lived at the line, hitting 15-of-16 in the game and 12-of-14 in the second half.  Asbury would hit 20-of-24 from the line.  Three other Eagles would reach double-digits as Laura Carroll added 16 points, Ellen Gray had 13 and Dorian Downs netted 11 off the bench.

The Lady Knights would beat up the Eagles inside, out-rebounding Asbury 37-30 and scoring 42 points in the paint, compared to 24 for the Eagles. 

Asbury will host the Asbury INN-vitational beginning on Thursday.  The Eagles will host Point University at 8 p.m. with Georgetown (Ky.) and Tennessee Wesleyan playing at 6 p.m.  Action will continue on Friday and Saturday.