Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team (9-12, 7-8) came out fast and furious but eventually fell in overtime to Carson-Newman (19-4, 11-4), 89-79, Saturday afternoon in a South Atlantic Conference game at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Carson-Newman 89, Lenoir-Rhyne 79 (OT)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (9-12, 7-8 SAC), Carson-Newman (19-4, 11-4 SAC)
Location: Shuford Memorial Gymnasium | Hickory, N.C.
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STATS OF THE GAME:
•    Lenoir-Rhyne junior guards Djibril Diallo (Conakry, GUINEA) and Cory Thomas (Louisville, Ky.) combined for 40 points in the setback.  Diallo totaled 18 points while Thomas led the Bears with 22 points and hit the game-tying lay-up as time expired in the second half to force overtime.
•    Carson-Newman, which rallied from a 27-11 deficit to start the game, was led by All-American Charles Clark (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) with a game-high 24 points, five assists and four rebounds.  Clark also hit 12-of-13 free throw attempts.
•    The Eagles took control in the overtime – scoring 20 points – in sweeping the season series from the Bears and keeping a tight grip on third place in the South Atlantic Conference standings.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
•    Lenoir-Rhyne senior guard Reed Lucas (Greensboro, N.C.) finished with 10 points and increased his career total to 1,067 while moving up to 43rd on the Bears' all-time list.
•    Carson-Newman also had four players in double figures and held a 45-31 edge in rebounding for the contest.
 
UP NEXT:
Lenoir-Rhyne faces long-time rival Catawba in a South Atlantic Conference game on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., in a league game while Carson-Newman takes on No. 2 Queens next Saturday at home beginning at 4:00 p.m.