C-N plays host to surging UVA Wise
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-3, 3-1 SAC) puts its double-digit home winning streak back on the line as it plays host to UVA Wise (7-2, 4-0 SAC) one of two remaining unbeaten teams in South Atlantic Conference play, on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
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16 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 58 |
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27 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 84 |
VIDEO: Carson-Newman vs UVA Wise Jan 2025 Highlights
VIDEO: Carson-Newman vs UVA Wise Jan 2025 Full Broadcast Replay
VIDEO: Carson-Newman vs UVA Wise Jan 2025 Cinematic Recap
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-3, 3-1 SAC) puts its double-digit home winning streak back on the line as it plays host to UVA Wise (7-2, 4-0 SAC) one of two remaining unbeaten teams in South Atlantic Conference play, on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Carson-Newman continued its winning ways at home by scoring 61 second-half points in a 91-66 win over Anderson on Saturday. That performance was the most points in a half since scoring 61 in the first half versus Mars Hill on December 15, 2021. The Lady Eagles made 68 percent of their second half shots and 57 percent of its three-pointers, also going a perfect 11 for 11 from the charity stripe.
Jennifer Sullivan (Knoxville, Tenn.) didn't win SAC Player of the Week this past week, but she was instrumental in C-N's two wins. She posted a pair of 20-point games in two double-digit wins for C-N last week. For the week, Sullivan averaged 24.5 points, three assists and three rebounds, while shooting 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. The senior guard is fourth in the conference in scoring at 18.4 points per game. She ranks second in field goals made this season and third in three-pointers made.
The Lady Eagles are 3-0 at home this season and have won ten straight games dating back to last season. The ten-game home winning streak is the 10th longest active home winning streak in DII and the second longest among Southeast Region teams.
Carson-Newman stands out in multiple areas through the early portion of the conference slate. Head coach Mike Mincey's team leads the SAC in assist/turnover ratio (1.17), assists per game (16.2), blocks per game (5.3), field goal percentage defense (35.1), free throw percentage (79.2), rebounds per game (43.0), and in turnovers per game (13.9). C-N ranks top 30 nationally in all of those categories as well.
C-N has won all 14 meetings in a series that dates back to 2000. In Carson-Newman's most recent win on January 15, 2025, it erupted for 108 points, the most in a win over the Highland Cavaliers. Half of the wins are by 20 points or more and 12 of them are by double-digits.
Picked to finish eighth in the South Atlantic Conference's Preseason Coaches' poll, UVA Wise has become the most surprising team to begin the 2025-26 season. The Highland Cavaliers are 7-2 and remain undefeated at 4-0 in South Atlantic Conference play, matching the program's best conference start to a season in their NCAA era since the 2005-06 squad, who also opened the season 4-0 but in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Wise has won four straight games, defeating Wingate, Emory & Henry and Lenoir-Rhyne at home and Newberry on the road.
UVA Wise has the second-best scorer in the conference this season in sophomore Caroline Mullins. She was named the National Player of the Week after a 38-point performance against USC Beaufort in the opening weekend. She averages 20.6 points for the year and has five games with 20 or more this year. Six of those points come from the foul line per game, ranking second in the league in free throws attempted this year.
Behind Mullins' good play, Wise has excelled in a few key offensive categories. They are the second-most efficient team, making 44 percent of their shots but just 30 percent of their three-pointers. Head coach Jamie Cluesman's team scores 72 points per game, fourth-best in the SAC and makes the fourth-most free throws per game as well.
Tipoff from Holt Fieldhouse with the Cavaliers is set for 5:30 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 5:15 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A live camera of the broadcast crew "On Press Row" will also be available on YouTube.
Team Stats
Virginia-Wise
| Game Statistics | Virginia-Wise | Carson-Newman |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (21-61) | (32-69) |
| Field Goal % | 34.4% | 46.4% |
| Rebounds | 36 | 44 |
| Assists | 12 | 24 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 17 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 14 | 28 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 8 | 9 |
| Pts in the Paint | 28 | 34 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 8 | 32 |
| Bench Pts | 11 | 33 |
