Sasser scores 18 points, Conquerors down Trinity-Greenville

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on January 6, 2016 1:48 PM

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The unexpected can be a scary thing.

Or it can prove beneficial.

Faith Christian Academy senior Richard Sasser stole the spotlight from teammate Christian Mills in a 59-41 victory over Trinity Christian on Tuesday evening.

Mills picked up two first-quarter fouls, but Faith entered halftime ahead 25-21.

Sasser opened the third quarter with a driving layup. Senior Raleigh Anderson dished off to sophomore Christopher Mills for a 3-pointer, and Anderson converted a layup.

Trinity answered with consecutive 3-pointers from Devin Smith and the Tigers trailed, 32-31, with five minutes left in the third period.

Sasser drew a foul on the Conquerors' next possession and sank a free throw. He came up with a steal, drained a step-back field goal and Faith entered the fourth quarter with a 43-33 advantage.

In the fourth, Sasser scored four consecutive points before picking up his third foul. He picked Trinity for another steal and sprinted down court for a layup.

Anderson assisted Christian Mills with a basket. Christian Mills grabbed an offensive rebound under the basket and scored. Sasser stole the ball for the sixth time, drove the court for a layup and FCA ran away from the Tigers.

"I stole the ball a few times," Sasser laughed. "We just played hard and worked through our first game after Christmas break."

Sasser ended the game with 18 points -- 15 in the second half. Christian Mills added 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Anderson recorded nine points. Christopher Mills and senior David Parrish had five points each.

Smith ended the game with 20 points for Trinity.

"We played them (Tigers) back in Greenville a few months ago and (we) won by four," FCA head coach Stephen Hardison said. "This time, of course they were down a few players, and the focus on No. 3 (Smith) -- I didn't even realize that. He played a good game at their place, but I didn't key on him in practice.

"Richard played a phenomenal game on the offensive and defensive end. And foul trouble for my big guy in senior Christian Mills, that stuck with him."

The Conquerors (8-4 overall) play host to Bethel Christian Academy on Friday night.