Box Score SALISBURY, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team erased a 20-point deficit at Catawba on Wednesday night but eventually fell in overtime by a final score of 89-81 in South Atlantic Conference play. The Bears were down 20 with three minutes left in the first half but outscored the hosts by 21 over the next 12 minutes to take a lead.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Catawba 89 | Lenoir-Rhyne 81
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (18-9, 11-8 SAC) | Catawba (20-7, 13-6 SAC)
Location: Goodman Gym | Salisbury, N.C.
STATS OF THE GAME:
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Djibril Diallo led the Bears with 19 points and added six rebounds and four assists. Diallo scored the first five points of overtime for the Bears but LR was outscored 21-13 in the extra period.
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Darius Simmons was a spark plug off the bench, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting including 2-for-3 from long range. Simmons is shooting a league-leading 63.2 percent from long range, a full 16 percentage points ahead of the second-best shooter in the league.
• Catawba took a 36-16 advantage with 3:05 to play in the first half before the Bears stormed back. LR went on a 35-14 run to take a 51-50 lead at the 11:09 mark of the second half.
• The Indians were keyed by Jordan McElveen who dropped 27 points and was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. McElveen added seven boards and was 7-of-14 from the field.
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Cory Thomas finished with 11 points and
Jon Jean had seven points, five boards and five assists.
Emmanuel Wembi (nine points, eight boards) and
Mason Hawks (seven points) were strong off the bench for LR.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• This was Lenoir-Rhyne's fourth overtime game of the season but their first OT loss of the year.
• LR has had 18 games decided by single digits on the season.
• Catawba dominated the glass, outrebounding LR 45-30. Catawba got to the line 36 times compared to just 15 free throw attempts for the visitors.
UP NEXT:
The Bears wrap up the regular season on Saturday afternoon as they host Lincoln Memorial at 4 p.m. Before the game, the Bears will honor their Senior Class.
