Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball Team (8-8, 2-6) lost a South Atlantic Conference game to Tusculum (10-3, 5-2), 71-56, Saturday afternoon at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tusculum 71, Lenoir-Rhyne 56
Records: Tusculum (10-3, 5-2 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (8-8, 2-6 SAC)
Location: Shuford Memorial Gymnasium | Hickory, N.C.
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STATS OF THE GAME:
•    Lenoir-Rhyne senior guard Justyce Swango (Virginia Beach, Va.) led the Bears with 15 points on the afternoon while two fellow underclassman, freshman guard Kennedy Weigt (Manteno, Ill.) and sophomore forward Karlie Bearden (Dawsonville, Ga.), added eight points each.
•    Tusculum, which reached double-digit victories on the season, had three players score in double-figures.  The Pioneers were led by junior forward Kasey Johnson (Greenville, N.C.), who finished with a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds.
•    The play for both teams in the paint was shown to be important, but the Pioneers held the 32-26 scoring advantage down low.  
•    Both teams were aggressive on the boards, combining for 28 second-chance points on 30 offensive rebounds.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
•    With the win, Tusculum is tied for second in the South Atlantic Conference Regular Season standings.

UP NEXT:
Lenoir-Rhyne just ended their three-game home stand and is prepared to hit the road for three straight contests beginning with Wingate on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:00 p.m.  Tusculum begins their chance to play three straight at home with a date against Carson-Newman at 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 10 as well.