HICKORY, N.C. --- The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team dropped a 77-70 contest to Tusculum on Wednesday night, completing the season sweep for the Pioneers. R.J. Gunn scored 26 points and missed just two shots on the night, going 9-for-11 from the field. 

Inside the Matchup:
Final: Tusculum 77, Lenoir-Rhyne 70
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (11-7, 7-6 SAC), Tusculum (12-9, 7-6 SAC)
Location: Shuford Gym  I Hickory, N.C.

Stats of the Game:

• The Bears were ice cold in the first half, shooting just 34.5 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. Tusculum grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the first half and led by as many as 12 
• The Bears went into the break trailing 37-25. Brandon Mitchell led the Pioneers with 15 first half points and added seven boards. Trenton Gibson added 13 points and two dimes in the first 20 minutes.
• LR trailed by double digits for the majority of the second half but a quick 10-0 run for the Bear cut the lead to 66-65 with 2:27 to play. However, the Pioneers would outscore LR 9-3 in the final 1:15 to come away with the seven point victory.
• Gibson finished with 24 points for the visitors and Mitchell had 19 and 10. Aside from Gunn, Cooper Fowler added 17 and Darius Simmons finished with 14.

Beyond the Box Score:

• Tusculum came into the game with 40 more offensive rebounds than any other Division II team in the nation. Tusculum also leads the nation in rebounding margin, grabbing 11 more boards than their opponents each night.  
• Mitchell is sixth in the nation in offensive rebounds per game. 
• Tusculum won the earlier season battle by a final score of 70-58 on Nov. 26. The Bears won two of the three matchups a season ago, including the SAC Tournament Quarterfinal game. 
• 80 is the magic number for the Bears. LR is a perfect 10-0 when they hit the 80-point mark and just 1-7 when they fail to reach 80.

Up Next:  The Bears stay at home on Wednesday night with a matchup against Tusculum at 7:30 p.m.