Anderson Fights Past Earlham

The Anderson University men's basketball team (6-2, 2-1) fought past Earlham College (1-6, 0-3) by a score of 62-56 during Saturday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams stayed within two points for the first 5 minutes, 56 seconds. Austin Lyons then hit a 3-pointer to give the Ravens an 11-8 lead with 14:03 to go in the first half.
• Anderson took its biggest lead of the half with 5:19 remaining. A dunk from Alex Hunt and a pair of layups from Francis Uzorh put the Ravens ahead 25-17.
• The Quakers chipped away to cut the deficit to 32-29 before halftime as Chase Younts made a jumper with 7 seconds remaining.
• Anderson went up by seven to start the second half after receiving buckets from Tate Ivanyo and Camden Smith.
• During the next 5:24, Earlham recorded a 12-5 run to even the game at 41-all with 13:00 remaining. Zachariah Andre scored six points during the run.
• Both teams were tied two more times, at 44-44 and 46-46.
• After a missed Anderson 3-pointer, Hunt collected an offensive rebound and completed a critical bucket-and-1 situation to give the Ravens a 49-46 lead with 8:00 to go.
• As the Ravens steadily built their lead, they kept Earlham from scoring a field goal for 8:52. Earlham's next field goal was a bucket-and-1 from Kolden Vanlandingham with 27 seconds to go, cutting Anderson's lead to 61-54.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Anderson converted 22-of-53 (41.5 percent) shots from the field and 6-of-15 (40 percent) attempts from 3-point range. The Quakers made 22-of-61 (36.1 percent) attempts from the floor and 2-of-10 (20 percent) shots from behind the arc.
• Anderson committed 11 turnovers while Earlham turned the ball over eight times. The Quakers held an 11-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Maurice Knight notched 12 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, leading the Ravens in each category.
• Austin Lyons and Camden Smith each provided nine points.
• Francis Uzorh recorded eight points and four blocks for the Ravens.

COACH OWEN HANDY'S COMMENTS

• This is a tough Earlham team that plays well together and puts a lot of pressure on defensively. Our turnover number says we handled that pressure pretty well, but I do think that they were able to force us out of some of what we wanted to do. But I was pleased with our composure against their pressure.
• Our minutes have been a little unsettled this year, as we've had guys in and out with injuries and freshmen who are learning and growing as players. On the whole we've had guys who have done a great job of being ready when called upon, and finding ways to contribute regardless of their role on a given day.
• I chewed on Alex Hunt pretty hard at the half, and he responded with great energy and intensity in the second half. His offensive rebound and put back in the second half came at a big moment and gave us the lead for good.

UP NEXT

Anderson challenges Trine University (5-3) next Saturday at 4 p.m. in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium. Trine is ranked No. 16 in the latest D3hoops.com poll.