Hickory, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team tipped off their 2022-23 season with a 65-55 win over visiting Montreat. TJ Nesmith scored 22 points as the Bears used a late 20-9 second half run to pull away from the Cavs and claim victory Monday night inside the Shu. LJ McCoy added 12 points and six assists. 

GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 65, Montreat 55
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (1-0), Montreat (2-2)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena

STATS OF THE GAME:
- Montreat did not lead at all in the first half, The Bears jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead in the first three minutes as Nesmith had six quick points for the Bears.
- LR was up 33-24 with just 2:27 left in the half before the Cavs went on a 7-0 run to close the half including a buzzer beater by Gabriel Rivera to cut the Bears lead to two at the intermission. 
- The Cavs shot 52% from the floor in the first half while the Bears shot 44%. Both teams struggled from long range as the teams combined to go 6-23, each hitting three triples.
- Montreat took their first lead of the game after a triple by Collin Mills and stretched their lead to four. 
- A steal by Hamilton Campbell lead to a fastbreak basket by Malik Legania to regain the lead at 47-46 as the Bears went on a 20-9 run the last 7:06 to close out the game. 
- Bears went 4-4 from the line in the last forty-five seconds to stretch the lead to twelve as the Bears closed the victory out.
- Nesmith lead all scorers with 22 points while Nas Tyson had 14. McCoy hit three from long range en route to 12 points. McCoy added six assists as well. 
- Montreat has 12 players score but no one had more than ten points.   
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 
- Today's game was the first ever meeting between the programs. 
- After protecting the ball a league best last year, the Bears only turned it over six times tonight. 
- Montreat did dominate the offensive glass with fourteen offensive rebounds in the game but only lead to thirteen second chance points. 
- Campbell stuffed the box score with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and that huge steal to help the Bears regain the lead. 
- Bears have won four of their last five season openers. 

UP NEXT:  LR will travel to Lees-McRae on Wednesday, Tip-off is schedule for 7:00 from Banner Elk.