New University of Mount Olive head men’s lacrosse coach Dylan Price gives last-minute instructions before face-off against Lander (South Carolina) University on Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Aidan Lalonde looks for an open teammate during first-period action against Lander on Saturday afternoon. Lalonde scored one goal in the Trojans’ 11-7, season-opening loss. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Braydon Hickey (41) is closely guarded from behind by a Lander defender as he eyes the goal Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Lander University’s James Linn checks University of Mount Olive’s Aidan Lalonde from behind during opening-half play on Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
A University of Mount Olive player gets past Lander’s Summer Bishop and scores against goalie Rhys Peterson during second-period action Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Reagan Hune attempts a free throw during second-period play against King (Tennessee) University on Saturday afternoon. Hune poured in a game-high 26 points during the Trojans’ 83-50 shellacking of the Tornado. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Maleiya Hill (33) drops in an uncontested layup against King’s Ashley Allen during their Conference Carolinas game contested Saturday afternoon inside Kornegay Arena. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive assistant women’s basketball coach Matthew Snyder cheers for the defense after it causes a shot-clock violation against King (Tennessee) University on Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Isaiah Bridges scores between King defenders Josh Jackson (31) and guard Michael Mays (10) during their game Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Aaron Murphy (31) scores against a King defender Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Aaron Murphy (31) scores against a King defender Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
More than 40 community churches attended the 41st annual Church Night held inside Kornegay Arena on the University of Mount Olive campus Saturday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
The University of Mount Olive women’s choir performs “The Star-Spangled Banner” before tip-off of the women’s basketball game against Conference Carolinas rival King (Tennessee) University on Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
This young lady found the perfect spot to enjoy her snacks and watch the game during the 41st annual Church Night held at the University of Mount Olive on Saturday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive split a Conference Carolinas basketball doubleheader and the men’s lacrosse team dropped its season opener during action over the weekend.
The Trojan softball team had its season-opening doubleheader with in-state rival Winston-Salem State moved to today due to a rain-drenched clay infield. First pitch is 3 p.m. at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.
Women’s basketball
Friends, family and neighbors from more than 40 community churches attended the 41st annual Church Night held inside Kornegay Arena on Saturday evening.
Reagan Hune torched the nets for a game- and team-high 26 points in an 83-50 thrashing of conference rival King (Tennessee) University. The Trojan women avenged a road loss in mid-December and silenced the Tornado for the fourth time in their last six meetings.
Haleigh Crews knocked down 22 points, including a 4 for 5 effort behind the 3-point arc. Laila Anderson provided 13 points, while Maleiya Hill contributed a double-double – 11 points and 10 assists. The freshman from Durham shot 5 of 6 from the floor.
Tiandra Tucker wiped the glass with 13 rebounds.
UMO converted 30 King turnovers into 34 points, collected 20 steals and had 21 team assists on 34 made field goals.
The Trojans evened their worksheet at 12-12 and 8-8 against conference opposition this season.
Men’s basketball
King escaped 81-78 after the Trojans’ Kaeleb Carter missed two game-tying 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds.
UMO rallied from a nine-point deficit on two occasions in the second half. Michael Brown’s two free throws closed the gap to 79-78 with 17 seconds remaining in regulation.
Forced to foul, the Trojans sent Darron Howard to the line. The senior guard from Alabama swished both attempts.
The Trojans called timeout.
When play resumed, Carter’s long-distance shot that bounced off the back of the rim. He rebounded his own miss and his second attempt missed to the right as time expired.
Brown emerged as the Trojan’s top scorer with 21 points. Shane Peterson knocked down 15 – all from 3-point range. Carter and Trayvon Ferrell contributed 12 points apiece.
King improved to 14-5 against UMO since 2012.
The Trojans fell to 8-15 overall and 6-9 in league heading into Wednesday’s road outing at in-state rival Chowan University. The Braves have won four of the last six meetings.
Men’s lacrosse
In their 10-year history as a program, the Trojans had never lost a season opener.
Kyle DeCrispino ruined that streak.
The graduate student transfer from Mount Saint Mary’s notched six goals as Lander (South Carolina) University stunned UMO, 11-7, at the Ray McDonald Complex. A fourth-year program, the Bearcats improved to 11-5 all-time against Conference Carolinas opposition.
Sam Skousen led UMO with two goals. Chaz Goodman, Blake Talton, Aidan Lalonde, Braydon Hickey and Chapman Parker supplied one goal apiece. Elijah Cobb dished out two of the team’s four assists.
Trojan goalie Jacob Brown logged 12 saves between the pipes.
UMO visits perennial South Atlantic Conference power Catawba on Feb. 11. The Indians are directed by coach Mike Murphy, who started the UMO program from scratch and collected 100 victories during his 10-year tenure.
