Hickory, N.C.--
Madeline Hardy tied her career high with 23 points to lead the Bears to a 75-54 win over Lees-McRae this evening inside the Shu.
Inside the Matchup:
Final: Lenoir Rhyne 75, Lees McRae 54
Records: Lenoir Rhyne (2-2), Lees-McRae (3-4)
Location: Shuford Memorial Gym I Hickory, N.C.
Stats of the Game:
- After Lees-McRae took an early 8-4 lead, the Bears went on a 14-2 run to end the first quarter.
- During the second quarter, the Bears kept the momentum with a 9-0 run in the quarter to take an 11-point lead at halftime.
- LR kept the double digit lead the whole second half to cruise to a 21 point win. LR led for over 33 minute of the game.
- Madeline Hardy scored 23 points including 11 for 14 from the free-throw line. Hardy added 14 rebounds. Her second straight double-double on the season.
- 10 different Bears scored, Blair Barefoot added 12 and Kennedy Weigt 10 off the bench for the Bears.
- Alyssa Wagner stuffed the box score with 7 points, 3 steals, 3 assists and 4 rebounds in her 32 minutes.
- Bears shot a season best 52.0% from the field (26-50) while Lees-McRae shot only 31.9%
- Bears defense forced 18 turnovers leading to 22 fast breaks points.
Beyond the Box Score:
- After tonight's game the Bears will not be back at the Shu till January 4; the Bears will play their next 8 games on the road, including their first five SAC games.
- With 10 points tonight, Junior Kennedy Weigt is 23 points away from 500 career points.
- Bears are now 9-3 all-time against Lees-McRae; including a win in each of the last three years.
- Lees-McRae is now 2-2 against SAC teams this year; Beating Queens and Mars Hill but falling to UVA-Wise and the Bears tonight.
- Hardy also scored 23 points last season on February 13, 2019 against Wingate.
- Blair Barefoot's 12 points off the bench were a career-high for the freshman.
Up Next: Bears will head to Belmont Abbey to play Friday night at 7 PM.
