Tayon Gleaves shot a career high 17 points as he helped the University of Mount Olive to a 80-69 win over Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C for Conference Carolinas men's basketball Sunday afternoon. Jordan McCain also recorded his first career double-double Sunday afternoon.
Mount Olive (11-2 Overall, 4-1 Conference Carolinas) surrendered the first bucket of the game as Lees-McRae (5-5, 1-3) made good on their opening possession. Dontrell Brite hit an open jumper to knot the game up at the 19:51 mark. The game was tied twice more before Brite got an open three and the Trojans took the lead 12-11.
Five more straight points put Mount Olive up six with 12:35 left in the first period. Brite used his hands to get a steal and a breakaway layup with the front side of the rim assist and the Trojans went up 21-13. The breakaway started a 12-0 run by the Trojans finished off by a three by Jordan McCain off the backwards pass from Gleaves with 7:37 to go.
The Bobcats used a couple of 6-0 and 8-0 runs to bring the lead down to as low as four before the half. John Wieland hit an open three with :21 to go to re-extend the lead to seven and Mount Olive went into the break, up 41-34.
In the second half the Bobcats were able to keep the Trojan lead under double digits for eight minutes until Dominique Reed hit a jumper to move Mount Olive ahead by 11, 50-39. Gleaves continued to find the bottom of the net as he hit a wide open three from the top of the key as the Trojans moved ahead 57-42 with 9:45.
The Trojans for the remainder of the contest climbed their lead to as high as 17 and never let it fall below five.
Brite finished with 20 points. Gleaves added 17 points, a career high. Mike Moore had 12 points and nine rebounds. Jordan McCain rounded out Mount Olives scorers in double digits with a double-double night 11 points 10 boards.
Kendall Isler led the Bobcats with 15.Donte Falls had 14 points.
Mount Olive will return home to Kornegay Arena this Wednesday as the Trojans host Southern Wesleyan. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.