Hickory, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team (5-1, 1-1) continued its best start in five seasons with a 69-57 win over Carson-Newman (5-1, 1-1) Saturday in a South Atlantic Conference contest and home opener for the Bears at Shuford Gymnasium.

L-R sophomore guard Denzel Dillingham (Hickory, N.C.) tied a career-high with 28 points while junior guard R.J. McClure (Canton, N.C.) added 14 points as the Bears handed the Eagles their first loss of the season.

Carson-Newman, which fell behind by 23 points early in the second half, was led by Antoine Davis' (Rustburg, Va.) 19 points in the loss.

A three-pointer by Dillingham with 15:19 remaining gave the Bears a 54-31 lead but the Eagles rallied to cut the margin to seven points.

Davis closed L-R?s lead to 61-54?with a trey at the 6:34 mark of the second half but Carson-Newman couldn't get any closer the rest of the way.

Dillingham iced the contest with four free throws with just under four minutes left in the game for the Bears, which forced the Eagles into 22 turnovers.

Carson-Newman's Ishmael Sanders (Cleveland, Tenn.) added 15 points in the setback while L-R junior guard Jarvis Perry (Willingboro, N.J.) totaled eight points and a game-high nine assists in the victory.

Lenoir-Rhyne remains at home to take on Lees-McRae on Thursday beginning at 7:00 p.m.? Carson-Newman will play Hiwassee in Madisonville, Tenn., on Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m.