HICKORY, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball team fell to Lees McRae 84-81 on Saturday inside the Shu. The Bobcats used a late surge to regain the lead with 18 seconds left to defeat the Bears.
Jalen Johnson had 17 points and five assists on the afternoon.
GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Lees McRae 84, Lenoir-Rhyne 81
Records: Lees McRae (2-1) I Lenoir-Rhyne (2-2)
Location: Shuford Gym
STATS AND INFO:
-Despite the campuses only being 56 miles apart of each other, this is only the fourth all-time meeting between programs and the first since the 2013 season.
-The game in 2013 was actually held in Salisbury, N.C as part of the Salisbury Roundball Classic.
-This is the Bears last home game until December, 15th. Bears will start a five game road stretch on Tuesday.
FIRST HALF:
-After a 7-0 run to start the game for the Bobcats, the Bears went on a 30-13 run to open a double-digit lead halfway through the first half. A late run by the Bobcats cut the lead to seven at halftime.
-Nine Bears scored in the first half led by eight by Johnson and
Nas Tyson.
-25 of the Bears 45 first half points came from the bench.
-Bears forced 11 turnovers in the first half leading to 15 points on the other side, LR only committed three turnovers in the half.
SECOND HALF:
- Lees McRae did not regain the lead until 18 seconds left in the half. A steal at half court then a quick layup by the Bobcats Jaylin Steward gave Lees McRae an 82-81 lead. LMC iced the game with two free throws with 2.4 seconds. Bears had a chance at the end but a shot by
Kevin Kangu missed to the left to end the game.
-Bears only shot 35.3% in the shot half (12-34) while Lees McRae shot 51.6% in the half to let me complete the comeback.
-Nichelson had 15 of his 17 points in the second half for the Bobcats.
ABOUT THE BEARS:
-Bears had four players in double digits in scoring on the afternoon. Johnson had 17 to lead the Bears, while Tyson,
Salle Wilson and
PJ Joseph added 11 each.
-Joseph lead the Bears with six rebounds while five Bears added three rebounds on the contest.
-Joseph's 11 points and six rebounds were a career-high for the redshirt freshman.
-Eight Bears had at least seven points tonight.
NOTABLE BOBCATS:
-Bobcats got 26 bench points in the second half and half of their 84 points came from the bench in the contest.
-Drew Gardner had a double-double with game-high in points (18) and rebounds (13).
-Lees McRae out rebounded the Bears 42-32 and added nine offensive rebounds in the contest.
UP NEXT: Bears will return to SAC Play Tuesday night at Coker. Tip-off is schedule for 7:30 P.M. from Hartsville, S.C.
