Hickory, N.C. – The UNC Pembroke Football Team (5-1), ranked No. 24 in NCAA Division II, used a strong second half to down Lenoir-Rhyne (2-4), 36-20, Saturday afternoon to spoil the Bears' Homecoming at Moretz Stadium.

The Braves' Rontonio Stanley (Nakina, N.C.) rushed for 192 yards on just 12 carries and scored three second-half touchdowns in the victory.  Stanley scored on runs of 79, 45 and 50 yards, respectively, as UNC Pembroke took control in the third quarter.

The Braves held a slim 10-7 lead at halftime but scored the first 16 points of the third quarter spearheaded by a pair of touchdown runs by Stanley.  UNC Pembroke's quarterback, Patrick O'Brien (Mooresville, N.C.), passed for 217 yards and a score as the Braves rolled up 434 yards of total offense in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Lenoir-Rhyne redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrod Kellar (Shinnston, W.Va.) passed for 282 yards and two touchdowns despite the loss.

Lenoir-Rhyne redshirt freshman running back Nelson Brown (Salisbury, Md.) – who totaled 99 yards rushing on 33 carries – scored from two yards out with 3:49 left to cut the margin to 29-20 but Stanley iced the game with his third touchdown run on the ensuing drive.

Lenoir-Rhyne freshman wide receiver Jaquay Mitchell (Bailey, N.C.) and senior wide receiver Patrick Rendleman (Lincolnton, N.C.) both caught touchdown passes while senior defensive back Rodney Singleton (Hawthorne, Fla.) added a game-high 12 tackles and a forced fumble despite the loss.  Lenoir-Rhyne also lost despite holding a decisive 39:34-20:26 edge in time of possession.

Lenoir-Rhyne steps back into South Atlantic Conference play next Saturday at 1:30 p.m., to take on Wingate in Wingate, N.C., while UNC Pembroke hosts Kentucky Wesleyan next Saturday at 2:00 p.m.