Levi Lamb Drops 24 Points in Conference Setback to Berea

Levi Lamb Drops 24 Points in Conference Setback to Berea

Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director

Photo Credit: Thomas Kennedy '21

BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College Tornados (5-15, 2-11 USAS) dropped a USA South Conference home battle to the Berea Mountaineers (10-9, 5-7 USAS) by a final of 78-64 on Wednesday night at the Boshamer Gymnasium. The matchup featured two of the USA South's most prolific scorers in Brevard's Levi Lamb and Berea's Torell Carter. 

Lamb was a force to be reckoned with for the Tornados as he posted a well-balanced night of 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a block. The Atlanta, Ga. native was efficient, shooting 10-of-16 (62.5%) from the field. This performance was Lamb's seventh 20-plus point performance of 2019-19, and tied his single-game career-high scoring total set against Averett (Dec. 7, 2018) and Piedmont (Jan. 22, 2019). 

Junior guard Qadhafi Turner and sophomore guard Demari Hopper rounded out Brevard's double-digit scoring performances. Turner posted 14 points on the night, including a 3-of-7 mark from beyond the 3-point line. He finished with a team-leading seven rebounds along with four assists and enjoyed another great defensive output by swiping four steals. Hopper added 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting to Brevard's Wednesday night efforts. 

Berea's star guard Carter, who is currently third in the USA South averaging 20.2 points-per-game, posted 28 points and eight rebounds on 11-of-18 shooting. Carter got to the line often, knocking in 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. 

Berea's 50% (29-of-58) shooting total dwarfed Brevard's 36.8% (25-of-68). The Mountaineers used a strong presence in the paint to carry themselves to victory, outscoring the Tornados 44-28. 

The Mountaineers led wire-to-wire, holding the lead for 38:07. Berea used a quick 9-0 run to build its lead early, however, the Tornados answered back with back-to-back 3-pointers before the first media timeout to cut Berea's lead to 9-6 with 14:46 left in the first half. 

From there, the Mountaineers built their lead back up and, carried by Carter's performance, maintained a controlling lead through much of the rest of the half. 

Brevard faced a 37-26 deficit with 2:59 left in the first half when it went on a game-high 8-0 scoring run to cut the Mountaineer lead to just three points at 37-34 with 1:08 left in the half. 

A Carter layup in the paint sent both teams to the locker room with Berea up 39-34. 

It was a two-man show at the intermission, as Berea's Carter had 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Brevard's Lamb had 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting. 

After a Lamb 3-pointer, the Tornados were able to cut Berea's lead to four points at 46-42 with 16:29 left. However, this proved to be as close as Brevard College would get on the evening, as the Mountaineers used the rest of the half to pull away. One five-plus minute scoring drought for Brevard sealed its fate midway through the half, as Berea grew its lead to as many as 16 points before claiming a 14-point, 78-64 decision. 

The Tornados enjoy a six-day break from game action before returning to the hardwood in Demorest, Ga. for a conference battle with Piedmont College Lions (3-17, 2-11 USAS) on Tuesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. The Tornados and Lions met at the Bosh on January 22, with Brevard prevailing in thrilling overtime fashion, 78-73. 

To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.

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