Salisbury, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team (9-13, 7-9) nearly erased a 17-point deficit in the second half but eventually fell to Catawba (8-13, 5-11), 84-77, in South Atlantic Conference action Wednesday evening at Goodman Gymnasium.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Catawba 84, Lenoir-Rhyne 77
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (9-13, 7-9 SAC), Catawba (8-13, 5-11 SAC)
Location: Goodman Gymnasium | Salisbury, N.C.
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STATS OF THE GAME:
•    The duo of junior guards Djibril Diallo (Conakry, GUINEA) and Cory Thomas (Louisville, Ky.) continue to shine for the Bears.  The pair combined for 46 points including a 26-point, 10-rebound, five-assist performance from Diallo while Thomas added 20 points off the bench.
•    Four players scored in doubles figures for the Indians – led by Jerrin Morrison (Charlotte, N.C.) and Jordan Barber (Matthews, N.C.) with 17 points each – as the home team jumped out to a 43-26 advantage with 14:04 remaining in the contest and held on for the win.
•    Lenoir-Rhyne had season-highs in free throws made (27) and attempted (36) despite the loss.  The two teams combined for 69 free throw attempts.  

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
•    Lenoir-Rhyne senior guard Reed Lucas (Greensboro, N.C.) finished with five points and increased his career total to 1,072 (43rd on the Bears' all-time list).  Lucas also has 213 career treys.
•    LR did manage to cut the margin to two points – 69-67 – on a lay-up by Diallo with 2:21 left but couldn't get any closer.
•    The two teams split the season series.

UP NEXT:
Lenoir-Rhyne returns home to face Mars Hill in a South Atlantic Conference game on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., while Catawba next travels to Hartsville, S.C., to take on Coker on Wednesday, February 14, at 8:00 p.m.