Valdosta, GA.-- Karlie Bearden had a career-high 21 points and Hanna McClung added 14 points but Valdosta State drained five three pointers in the final quarter to help the Blazers grab the lead and hold on for a 76-69 victory over the Bears.  

Inside the Matchup:
Final: Valdosta State 76, Lenoir-Rhyne 69
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (3-8, 1-4 SAC), Valdosta State (10-2, 2-2 GSC)
Location: The Complex  I Valdosta, GA.

Stats of the Game:

• Both teams came out shooting the ball well. In the first half, LR shot 43.3% (13-30) while Valdosta State shot 50.0% (15-30).
• Foul trouble effected both teams in the first half. Valdosta State senior Cheray Saunders was limited to three minutes in the first quarter after picking up two quick fouls. Saunders is 6th in the Gulf South Conference in scoring with 16.4 points. Saunders scored eight points in the second quarter to help the Blazers take a four point led into the half.  LR's Madeline Hardy picked up her second foul early in the second quarter and was limited to seven minutes in the first half. 
• LR came into the game averaging 15.7 turnovers per game and the Bears had 12 turnovers in the first half alone today.
• The Bears balanced attack continued today.  Eight different Bears scored by the half, led by Bearden's 11 first half points.
• Lenoir-Rhyne took a four point lead going into the 4th quarter but the Blazers came out hitting their first five three pointers to take the lead for good. 
• The Bears defense forced 10 steals today led by Bearden and Ashley Woodroffe with three each. The Bears have forced at least 10 steals in three out of the last four games. 
• Valdosta State's Junior Kayla Bonilla played all 40 minutes, scoring a season-high 24 points on 10-19 shooting and added nine assists. Bonilla came into the game third in Gulf South Conference in points with 18.3. 
• For the game the Bears shot 41.1% (23-56), It is the second straight game the Bears have shot over 40% from the floor. The Bears shot 38% for the first nine games of the year. 

Beyond the Box Score:

• Today's matchup is the first ever meeting between the two schools.
• Valdosta State came into today's matchup winners of 5 out of their last 6 including a huge win against then #5 Lee (Tenn) 74-68
• With the win today, Valdosta State became the 13th Division II school to reach 10 wins on the year.
• Hanna McClung had a season high 14 points today. McClung had 17 points last December against Johnson C. Smith. 

Up Next:  Before returning home on Saturday January 4 against Coker, The Bears will travel to UNC Greensboro New Years Day for an exhibition game