MOC sweeps St. Andrews

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on November 25, 2009 1:46 PM

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LAURINBURG -- Kendrick Easley collected eight of his game- and season-high 32 points in a 64-second span as Mount Olive College turned back in-state rival St. Andrews 85-76 in their Conference Carolinas men's basketball game Tuesday evening.

It was the league opener for both teams.

Easley's 3-pointer started his 8-0 run and gave the Trojans a two-possession advantage. The two-time All-American provided an old-fashioned three-point play and added another field goal after a defensive stop.

His second three-point play extended MOC's advantage to 73-62.

St. Andrews climbed within 75-71, but could get no closer when point guard Derek Staton converted the Trojans' next possession. Easley and Brandon Allen combined to connect on 8-of-8 free throws in the final 42 seconds to seal the road victory.

Easley finished 13 of 14 at the free throw line, pulled down five rebounds, dished out three assists and picked the Knights for three steals. Staton supplied 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Allen contributed seven boards, while Mahamed Ibrahim led all players with eight boards. Lamonte Theus recorded a game-high four steals and Aleks Mitrovic, a sophomore forward, got his first collegiate start in place of starting forward Craig Hayes, who was injured during this past weekend's Pickle Classic.

The Trojans also played much of the game without starting guard Mike Holloman due to foul trouble. Holloman was averaging a double-double through his first three games.

Mount Olive continues its six-game road swing Dec. 12 at Limestone (S.C.) College.

Women

LAURINBURG -- Meaghan Vanderhorst scored 23 points and keyed second-half scoring runs as Mount Olive College hammered St. Andrews 86-50 in their Conference Carolinas women's basketball opener.

Mount Olive (1-2 overall) snapped a three-game losing streak which started with a loss in the 2009 conference tournament championship game.

Vanderhorst was 7-for-7 from the free throw line and had a game-high five steals. Her 23 points are her second-highest single-game total and her highest total since suffering a season-ending knee injury two games into the 2006-07 season.

Andrea Jones, a freshman, reached double figures for the second time in three games with a collegiate-high 15 points. Brittany Miller added 14 points and six rebounds. Helen Moore was held to single digits for the first time this season with nine points, but pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Jones, Vanderhorst and Shaniqua Clay had four assists apiece.

Mount Olive used 20-1 and 20-4 runs to put away St. Andrews.

The Trojans return to action Saturday at Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) University. Tip-off is 2 p.m.