Morrow, Ga. ? The No. 23 Lenoir-Rhyne University Women?s Basketball Team (8-2) knocked No. 21 Lander University (7-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 77-71 win over the Lady Bearcats Tuesday afternoon on the first day of the Heritage Bank Holiday Classic at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

Lenoir-Rhyne senior guard Amber Holt (Charlotte, N.C.) led the way with a game-high 24 points and six rebounds while senior guard Jami Safrit (Hickory, N.C.) added 17 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Bears.

Shannon McKever (Florence, S.C.) finished with a team-high 16 points and eight rebounds in the losing effort for the Lady Bearcats.

The contest, which featured seven ties and 15 lead changes, finally saw Lenoir-Rhyne take command at the end.

Holt?s three-pointer at the 3:33 mark of the second half tied the game at 68 and started a 12-0 run for L-R.

A field goal by sophomore guard Cameron Sealey (Gastonia, N.C.) on the Bears? next possession proved to be the game-winner.

Senior center Denise Moore (Newport News, Va.) also scored in double figures as she finished with 12 points for the Bears, who shot 54 percent (30-of-56) for the game.

Holt is now seventh on Lenoir-Rhyne?s all-time scoring list with 1,297 points.

Lenoir-Rhyne plays the host school, No. 15 Clayton State, Wednesday on the final day of the tournament beginning at 5:30 p.m.