Men’s Basketball Team

LAURINBURG — Sophomore point guard Aaron Christian scored a career-high 19 points for host St. Andrews Presbyterian College in an 85-76 loss to Mount Olive College in the Conference Carolinas men’s basketball opener for both institutions on Tuesday night in Harris Court.

Senior Kendrick Easley bucketed a game-high 32 points to lead the Trojans (3-1 Overall; 1-0 Conf.) to their third straight victory. The Knights (1-3; 0-1) have lost three straight after opening the season with a win.

St. Andrews had a hotter hand from the field, making 26-of-55 (47.3%) shot attempts compared to 27-of-65 (41.5%) by Mount Olive. However, the Trojans protected the ball better with 13 turnovers in comparison to 24 by the Knights. MOC had nine steals and turned the 24 SAPC mistakes in 20 extra points.

The first half was a close struggle that featured five lead changes and four ties. Sophomore Chris Sumski drilled a three-pointer that gave the Knights the largest lead of the opening period at 15-8. Mount Olive fought back by grabbed a six-point advantage, 38-32, but a trey by St. Andrews’ sophomore Kurt Fenderbosch in the final minute cut the halftime deficit to one point, 40-39.

SAPC junior Zack Garst tied the contest up for the fifth and final time with lay-up with 14 minutes left. Mount Olive answered with a 10-2 run to regain the lead for good.

The Knights kept fighting and pulled to within one possession of tying the game, 65-62, before Easley provided the Trojans with manageable cushion by scoring all eight points in quick 8-0 surge in an 80 second span. St. Andrews never quit and inched to within four, 75-71, with 1:20 showing on the clock but Mount Olive hit all six of its free throws in the final minute to preserve the victory.

Mount Olive has 19 days to prepare for its next game at Conference Carolinas foe Limestone College on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Team

LAURINBURG — St. Andrews Presbyterian College freshman Natia Gasque scored a team-high 19 points in an 86-50 Conference Carolinas women’s basketball loss to visiting Mount Olive College on Tuesday evening in Harris Court.

Junior Meaghan Vanderhorst scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Lady Trojans (1-2 Overall; 1-0 Conf.) to their first win. The Lady Knights (0-3; 0-1) remain winless in the regular season.

Mount Olive canned 41.6% (32-of-77) of its shots in comparison to 28.8% (15-of-52) by SAPC. MOC held a 53-40 advantage on the boards. The Knights committed a season-worse 40 turnovers that led to 47 points for the Trojans.

Senior Kayla Hay led the Royal Blue & White with a game-high 11 rebounds. Gasque pulled down six boards.

SAPC sophomore Brittany Roberts drilled a three-pointer and freshman teammate Essence Chism followed with a lay-up to tie the game, 13-13, at the midway point of the opening period. Mount Olive followed with a 22-8 run to close out the first half to take a 35-21 lead at the intermission.

Mount Olive junior Brittany Miller scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half on 6-of-9 shooting to lead all players into the locker room. St. Andrews committed 20 turnovers in both 20 minute periods.

MOC continued to build on its lead in the second half drilling six of its eight 3-pointers in the second half. The Trojans increased their lead to 40 points before coasting to the 36-point victory.

Roberts finished with nine points for the Lady Knights. Junior Megan Lee chipped in with five points, five rebounds, and a team-high three steals. Senior Jaquese Smith also tallied five points.

Freshman Andrea Jones swished four of the Trojans eight 3-pointers en route to 15 points. Senior Helen Moore provided Mount Olive with nine points and seven rebounds. Vanderhorst made a game-high five steals.

After returning to campus following the Thanksgiving holiday break, St. Andrews will host Allen University on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Mount Olive next travels to Harrogate, Tenn. for a Southeast Region showdown at Lincoln Memorial University on Saturday. Nov. 28. at 2 p.m.