GREENEVILLE, TENN.-- In their South Atlantic Conference opener, the Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team fell to Tusculum by a final score of 70-58. The Bears couldn't overcome a cold shooting night, going just 17-for-58 from the field and 7-for-31 from long range.
Inside the Matchup:
Final: Tusculum 70. Lenoir-Rhyne 58
Records: Lenoir Rhyne (4-2, 0-1 SAC), Tusculum (5-2, 1-0 SAC)
Location: Pioneer Arena I Greeneville, Tenn.
Stats of the Game:
- Lenoir-Rhyne entered as the 14th best scoring offense in Division II but were held to 35 points less than their average.
- Tusculum's defense entered as the best shot blocking team in the conference and added six more to their ledger tonight.
- Tusculum prevailed despite a nine minute field goal drought late in the second half. However, the Pioneers converted 25-of-31 from the free throw line during the game and free throws helped them hold on late.
- One of the best rebounding teams in the nation, Tusculum held a 55-36 advantage on the glass.
- R.J. Gunn led Lenoir-Rhyne with a game-high 22 points and Mason Hawks added nine. The duo combined for six of the Bears seven made 3-pointers in the contest.
- Three players scored in double figures for the Pioneers, led by 19 from Trenton Gibson.
- Tusculum led the entire way with LR cutting the lead to one point on two separate occasions.
Beyond the Box Score:
- Lenoir-Rhyne won two of the three matchups against Tusculum last year, including a SAC Tournament Quarterfinal victory.
- The Bears have won 17 of the last 26 head-to-head matchups with the Pioneers.
- Tusculum entered tonight's game ranked No. 1 in all of Division II in offensive rebounds per game (22.0) and sixth in total rebounds per game (46.3). Brandon Mitchell leads the nation in offensive rebounds per game at a shade over 5 per game.
- The Bears connected on just 1 of their first 17 three-point attempts. The seven made threes on the night ties a season low for the Bears.
Up Next: The Bears continue a five-game road swing when they travel to No. 11 Queens on Saturday.
