Box Score
WILMORE, Ky.--- For the first time in school history the Asbury men's basketball team is 6-0 to start the season. Asbury took on familiar opponent in Midway University on Monday night at home and used a game-winner from
Nick Fort to seal the one point victory, 69-68.
Fort had an eventful Monday as he was named NCCAA Player of the Week in the afternoon, joined the Asbury 1,000 point club in the first half of the game and then hit the game-winner for Asbury to move them to the best start in school history. The fourth double-double of the season for Fort was powered by 19 points and 12 boards.
Caleb Wallis was at it again for AU with 15 points, three steals, two assists and two rebounds.
Dakota Walden and
Clayton Winter were the other Eagles in double-digits as Walden had 11 and Winter 10.
Sophomore guard
Ben McNew scored nine big points for Asbury with two three's and grabbed four rebounds. McNew is 11-22 from three on the season, shooting 50% from behind the line for AU.
Midway was led by junior guard Creshaun Brown who put together a fantastic game going 8-11 from the field and 4-7 from three for 20 points.
Both teams shot only 5-20 from three and were below 50% from the field in a low-scoring duel. Asbury turned the ball over seven times compared to Midway's nine. Midway outrebounded AU 42-35 and the teams matched for 38 points in the paint.
In a game that was tight throughout it was Asbury coming out with the early surge that gave them a 16-9 lead ten minutes into the contest. Midway made three three's in the next two minutes to cut down their deficit to 18-20. Asbury again extended their lead and capped a 10-2 with a
Ben McNew three to make it 30-20.
Creshaun Brown made two three's for Midway in the final minutes of the half to help them head into the locker room tied with Asbury at 34-34.
Asbury battled back from a small deficit early in the second half to regain a seven point lead (53-46) with 11 minutes to go in the game.
Dakota Walden powered this lead scoring six consecutive points for Asbury on two layups and a mid-range jumper. Walden struck again with six minutes to go on a three ball that gave Asbury another seven point cushion, this time 61-54.
Midway responded to this deficit with a 10-3 run that tied them up with Asbury 64-64 2:21 to go. Midway continued their run to take a 68-67 lead with only 40 seconds to go in the game.
Asbury decided to foul Midway, sending guard Rico Tate to the line with a one and one. Tate missed the front end and Asbury dribbled down to take advantage as
Nick Fort knocked down a free-throw line jumper with eleven seconds to go giving AU their first lead in over two minutes, 69-68. Midway hurried down the court and got an open look but could not convert as Asbury held on to keep the undefeated season alive at 6-0.
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Nick Fort | 19 PTS, 12 REB, Scored 1,000th Career Point at Asbury (Fourth Double-Double)
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Caleb Wallis | 15 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST
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Dakota Walden | 11 PTS, 4 REB, 11 FG, 5 REB
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Clayton Winter | 10 PTS, 6 REB, 5-7 FG
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Ben McNew | 9 PTS, 4 REB, 2 3PT
* Asbury is off to the best start in school history, 6-0
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Nick Fort reached the 1,000 career points club at Asbury
"Everybody was fighting hard all night. Shots weren't really falling but we were due for a game like that after starting 5-0. It was a challenging win but we will definitely take it getting to move to 6-0. Coming to Asbury I was a broken soul but Coach Shouse and Coach Abner allowed to be me and I'm so thankful to get to be a part of this program. It is a blessing to be here, I didn't know I needed to be here but I've grown in my faith and am so thankful I'm here."
Nick Fort | Grad. Forward
Asbury will go on the road tomorrow night to face Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville, Ky., for a 7 pm tip-off before heading into Thanksgiving break.
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