Hickory, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne University Women's Basketball Team (7-1, 1-0) opened South Atlantic Conference play with an 84-65 victory over Mars Hill College (3-3, 0-1) Wednesday evening at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

L-R junior guard Whitley Culler (Mount Airy, N.C.) led all scorers with 20 points including 18 in the first half as the Bears won their fourth consecutive game.

Senior guard Cameron Sealey (Mount Holly, N.C.) and freshman guard Jazmine Charles (Lexington, N.C.) added 12 points each for Lenoir-Rhyne, who limited Mars Hill to just 35 percent shooting (25-of-71) for the game.

Four players scored in double figures for the Lions, led by Taylor Deal's (Catawba, N.C.) team-high 17 points and 11 rebounds, despite the loss.

Lenoir-Rhyne shot 68 percent (19-of-28) in the first half in racing to a 45-24 lead with 2:39 remaining before intermission and never looked back en route to the win.

Mars Hill tried to rally but couldn't get within 11 points the rest of the way.? Tyler Carlson (Savannah, Ga.) added 16 points for the Lions in the losing effort.

The Bears also shot 82 percent (18-of-22) from the charity stripe, dished out 25 assists and forced the Lions into 26 turnovers in the victory.

Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Newberry, S.C., to take on Newberry Saturday in a league contest beginning at 2 p.m.? Mars Hill, meanwhile, faces Anderson on the road in a conference game Saturday at 2 p.m., as well.?