Trojans sweep in-state rival Lees-McRae

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on January 13, 2008 2:57 AM

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BANNER ELK -- Kendrick Easley scored 17 points and Mount Olive used a 19-2 second-half run to turn back in-state rival Lees-McRae 97-59 in Conference Carolinas play Saturday afternoon.

Mount Olive (9-3 overall, 5-1 CC) concluded its seven-game road trip with a 5-2 mark. The Trojans, who outscored the Bobcats 55-26 in the second half, return home Monday against Coker (S.C.) College.

Mike Holloman finished with 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting for the Trojans, while freshman Craig Hayes added a collegiate-high 12 points. Aaron Dobson finished with nine points. Brandon Streeter, Josh Brown and Kason Cheeks each scored eight points. All 13 Trojans who played got in the scoring column.

Streeter, who ranks 10th in the nation in rebounding, pulled down eight rebounds as Mount Olive outrebounded Lees-McRae 50-34.

The two teams exchanged baskets in the first minute of the second The two teams exchanged baskets in the first minute of the second half before Montel Jones' basket underneath put the lead at double figures to stay and opened the floodgates for the Trojans.

Melton and Holloman followed with baskets to extend the lead to 15 before Hairston's field goal with 18:11 remaining brought Lees-McRae within 50-37. Mount Olive would go on to hold the Bobcats scoreless over the next six minutes.

A steal by Holloman led to a one-handed slam dunk and Easley finished a steal with an uncontested layup as the two players combined for the game's next 10 points. Washum spotted up for a 3-pointer from the top of the key to cap a 13-0 run and give Mount Olive a 63-37 lead with 13:44 left to play.

ReShon Benjamin's 3-pointer with exactly 12 minutes remaining ended Lees-McRae's scoreless drought, but the margin never got below 20 points the rest of the way.

The final margin matched Mount Olive's biggest lead of the game as the Trojans tied for second-highest scoring output of the season. They eclipsed the 90-point mark for the first time since a 101-82 victory over Pfeiffer on Nov. 20, 2007.

Trojan women triumph

BANNER ELK -- Brittney Robich drained two free throws with 20 seconds left and Mount Olive upended Lees-McRae 68-63 on the Conference Carolinas women's basketball scene.

Robich's free throws helped the Trojans (6-7 overall, 4-2 CC) snap a four-game skid heading into Monday's home game against Coker (S.C.) College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Kornegay Arena.

The Bobcats led 48-38 with 12 minutes left in the second half.

Lakeisha Monroe's 3-pointer triggered an 11-2 run as Mount Olive pulled within 50-49. Lees-McRae kept the lead until Robich buried a pair of 3-pointers and Monroe connected on a basket to forge a 57-57 deadlock.

The lead traded hands until Keona Corley picked the Bobcats for two steals and fed Monroe for layups. Jill Oak's blocked shot helped preserve the lead.

Mount Olive turned up its defense in the final 90 seconds and forced a couple of Lees-McRae turnovers. The second miscue led to free throws by Robich, which put the Trojans in front 66-63.

Lees-McRae had possession with 15.9 seconds to go, but Helen Moore deflected a pass and Corley grabbed the loose ball. The senior point guard dished back to Moore, who converted a breakaway layup to seal the win.

Monroe finished with 12 points for the Trojans, while Moore and Shequanta McGee added nine points apiece. Corley handed out seven assists and recorded five steals, while Robich pulled down six rebounds.