Greeneville, Tenn. - The Tusculum College Men's Basketball Team (9-10, 6-3) held on to defeat Lenoir-Rhyne University (2-15, 1-8), 53-44, Wednesday night in a South Atlantic Conference contest at Pioneer Arena.

Tusculum's Rob Troutman (Mount Washington, Ky.) led the way with a team-high 16 points to go along with three treys while Tommy Klempin (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) added 14 points as the Pioneers built a pair of 16-point leads (33-17 and 35-19) early in the second half and held on for the win.

Freshman forward Allan Jones (Clemmons, N.C.) led L-R with 16 points and freshman guard R.J. McClure (Canton, N.C.) scored 13 points, all in the second half, and hit three three-pointers but the Bears suffer their ninth straight loss.

The Bears held the Pioneers without a point for over five minutes in cutting the lead to 45-42 with 3:31 remaining on a lay-up by Jones.

However, Tusculum put together an 8-2 run including a pair of free throws on an L-R technical foul to close out the contest for the nine-point victory.

The Pioneers shot 58 percent (18-for-31) for the game and held a 26-13 advantage in rebounding in the victory.? The Bears shot 57 percent (eight-of-14) in the second half despite the setback.

Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Mars Hill on Saturday in a league contest beginning at 6 p.m.? Tusculum remains at home to face SAC-foe Newberry Saturday at 4 p.m.